FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1965
1965 - 1099.PDF
nlGHT International, 15 April 1965 617 Voskhod 2: More Relatively full details of the March 18-19 orbital flight by Col Pavel Belyayev and Lt-Col Alexei Leonov in Voskhod 2 were given at the cosmonauts'' Moscow press conference on March 26. Main points from the conference were reported in last week's issue; further extracts from the conference and from relevant "Pravda" articles are given here. Col Belyayev On March 18, 1965, at 10 a.m. Moscow time, the spaceship Voskhod 2 was placed into orbit by a powerful carrier rocket. I had been appointed in command and Lt-Col Alexei Arkhipovich Leonov second pilot. As you know from official reports, the ship was put into orbit with the following parameters: perigee, 173km; apogee, 495km; inclination, about 65°; period of revolution, 90.9min. All the orbital parameters were close to those originally planned. Having completed over 18 orbits of the Earth and travelled a distance of over 720,000km in 26hr, Voskhod 2 landed safely in the Perm region at 12.02 Moscow time on March 19. According to our programme, the orbital flight was to last for 24hr, including an experiment with emergence from the capsule into space during the flight. During the experiment it was necessary to ascertain and test the cosmonaut's organic functions and his ability to work in space; to test the comfort and reliability of the spacesuit, and the system of independent oxygen supply while the cosmonaut was working outside the capsule; to test the reliability of the control system, and finally, to check on the ground methods of training crews for this experiment, considering that it was being done for the first time. Our programme also envisaged scientific observations and research, including medical and biological experiments, study of the elements of space navigation, and observation and study of the atmosphere. Training for the flight The flight of Voskhod 2 was preceded by a long and painstaking training of the crew. It consisted of the general training of cosmonauts and a special training for this particular flight, of one man in command and another as second pilot. It must be said that ground training and the flight itself involve a great deal of effort not only for the crew, but also for a large number of scientists, engineers, experts and instructors, and for the flight physicians who prepared us. If anyone thinks that this work is easy, he is greatly mistaken. Since Voskhod 2 differed from previous craft and our programme included the experiment of man's emergence into space, our training was considerably more elaborate. We spent a great deal of time studying the structure and systems of Voskhod 2. We maintained close contact with the designers who had created the spaceship, and took part in testing the craft's systems. A lot of training was done in a training capsule where elements of the planned flight, its dynamics, control of the spaceship's systems and other things were worked out. During our training Alexei Leonov and I planned our actions at various stages of the flight, and in particular for the period of his emergence into space and return to the capsule. We paid very serious attention to this section of the flight. During the flight I was to navigate the ship and control the exit apparatus, watch the instruments and carry out other operations necessary for the experiment of Alexei Leonov's emergence into space. As part of preparations for this experiment, we underwent training in a flying laboratory, where we enacted our movements in conditions close to real flight. Moreover, we underwent training in other simulators, such as air-temperature and pressure chambers, and so on. Prior to the flight we engaged in extensive general physical training and special-purpose training. Naturally, we were not left alone by our doctors during training. We were constantly under medical supervision. As our flight programme envisaged various scientific observations and investigations, we underwent a theoretical training course. Much time was spent studying the spaceship's operation, control and its systems. We carefully studied the crew's behaviour at every stage of the flight. During the final phase of our training, we studied the flight programme in every detail. All this enabled us to ensure a successful flight in Voskhod 2. If I were asked whether it was all easy, I would say that it was not easy. I think that Alexei Leonov will support this. Implementation of the flight programme As I have already said, the crew was faced with an extensive programme of experiments, scientific research and observations, at the basis of which was man's emergence from the spacecraft in a special spacesuit fitted with a lifeline. The programme was fully implemented. Our space-walk experiment was begun immediately after we had been put into orbit. We withstood the launching stress well. The parameters of the ship's capsule coincided with those of the programme. The special exist apparatus functioned normally. The whole cycle of operations agreed fully with that worked out on the ground. Only the state of weightlessness was added—which actually made our task more easy. My friend Alexei Leonov accurately executed all preparatory operations before the experiment and was impatiently awaiting my go-ahead order. He wanted to hop out earlier than planned, but I restrained him. We had a definite programme, and I as a commander was responsible for its execution. Having made sure that Alexei Leonov's lifeline was functioning normally and that his pulse-rate and breathing were normal, at the appointed moment I ordered him to leave the spaceship. While Leonov was in space, I watched all his actions with the help of a television installation. The television communications system worked very well and I could clearly see all his actions in space and could even discern minor details of his spacesuit. I was in constant telephone communication with Leonov, and the ship's instruments enabled me to control the functioning of the lifeline and to check his pulse-rate and breathing. Thus, I could completely and continuously supervise Leonov's actions and his state of health while he was in space. I must say that he had received a thorough physical training on the ground which enabled him to carry out his experiment successfully. The highest pulse-rate registered during the physically most strenuous operations was 135 beats per minute. The systems of the ship enabled me, the ship's commander, if necessary, to come to the aid of the space walker. As you know, such a necessity never arose. During Leonov's exit and stay in space, the effect of the movement of mass on the spaceship's behaviour was observed. Leonov had only to move to either side of the ship and the ship would react sensitively to these movements. AH movements next to the outer shell of the ship and knocks could be heard clearly inside. Thus there was an additional sound control, as well as all the planned systems of controlling the cosmonaut in space. The cosmonaut's return to the capsule was carried out exactly as planned. After the completion of our experiment, we carried out a series Lt Cot Alexei Leonov uses a blackboard to assist in describing his orbital flight in—and out of—Voskhod 2
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
