Gas dynamic protective devices for orientation thruster jets of space vehicles and orbital stations

Here is a brief review of model and on-orbit experiments on the problem of contamination of spacecraft and orbital station external surfaces, including the International Space Station, by jets of orientation thrusters.

The 35th Anniversary of the Launch of Mir’s First Module: Main Results of Applied Scientific Research and Experiments Carried Out Onboard the Manned Orbital Complex.

For 15 years (1986–2001) the orbital station “Mir” served as the only manned space laboratory for long-term scientific and technical experiments and human body research in space. This multipurpose international complex began to op-erate on February 20, 1986 when its base module was placed into orbit. The re-sults, obtained during that period, have made a great contribution to domestic fundamental science and today they are of great practical value for various sectors of the national economy, education, health care, and development of space vehicles.

Architectural Lighting Design Concept for the Interior Yard of a Prospective Orbital Station

A design aspect of a three-dimensional workspace for an upcoming deployment stage of a new-generation manned space station with crews of several dozen people is considered. It is assumed that in the new closed layout of the station, the spatial core is its courtyard, which ensures productive and safe human activity not only in pressurized living and working modules, but also in an airless space. The aim of the work is to develop the concept for architectural illumination of the surface and the entire working space in the courtyard of the new-generation orbital station. The original layout diagram of the orbital station is presented. Its illumination is investigated by the method of computer geometric modelling. The most common orthogonal structures implemented in the MIR and ISS projects were chosen as the starting point for constructing the spatial structure of the orbital station. The illumination system is proposed that implements the operational and control functions of the crew members, as well as their orientation and positioning both in the spatial structure of the station itself and in the surrounding space. To implement these functions, two basic techniques for setting up remotely controlled stationary and mobile luminaires are proposed. The importance of highlighting the central axial structure of the station as a coordinate system for constant orientation is shown when people are located both in the inner space of the station and in the space of its yard. It is concluded that the illumination of the three-axis coordinate structure projected onto the outer space in relation to the station space, will give its perception a feeling of familiar stability.

Chronicle of an extraordinary space journey (ballistic analysis of Soyuz T-15 flight)

35 years ago, in March 1986, a unique flight of the Soyuz T-15 transport manned vehicle was performed, including in its program the flight of the crew from one orbital station to another (from the Mir station to the Salyut-7 station) and back. In the 60-year history of manned space exploration, such a double flight continues to be the only one of its kind. The article considers the circumstances that developed at the time of the Mir station launch into orbit — the first station of the 3rd generation. The approaches adopted during the development of the ballistics profile and the operational changes required during its implementation are described in detail. In conclusion, the actual fuel consumption of all spacecraft involved in this scheme is presented. It is assumed that the experience gained during the implementation of flights can be used in future promising manned missions, both in near-Earth orbit and in the implementation of the future Lunar program. Key words: orbital station Salyut, orbital station Mir, manned vehicle, orbital flights, prospective human missions.

Chronicle of an extraordinary space journey (ballistic analysis of Soyuz T-15 flight)

35 years ago, in March 1986, a unique flight of the Soyuz T-15 transport manned vehicle was performed, including in its program the flight of the crew from one orbital station to another (from the Mir station to the Salyut-7 station) and back. In the 60-year history of manned space exploration, such a double flight continues to be the only one of its kind. The article considers the circumstances that developed at the time of the Mir station launch into orbit — the first station of the 3rd generation. The approaches adopted during the development of the ballistics profile and in the detail. operational changes required during its implementation are described In conclusion, the this scheme is presented. implementation of flights actual fuel consumption of all spacecraft involved It is assumed that the experience gained during can be used in future promising manned missions, both in near-Earth orbit and in the implementation of the future Lunar program.

Devices of Soviet Propaganda of Science and Technology as Exemplified by the Plan of Media Coverage of the Salyut Orbital Station Flight

This paper presents an archival document from the GARF (State Archive of the Russian Federation) collections, a plan of media coverage of the flight of a permanent orbital station that became known as Salyut, dated spring 1971, and an introduction to it. The version of this document the author has worked with was forwarded to the General Directorate for the Protection of State Secrets in the Press (Glavlit), the central censorship body in the USSR, to be subsequently deposited in this organization’s archive. This relatively short document sets forth the procedure for the coverage of the orbital station’s flight and the work of the visiting missions in the leading Soviet newspapers, popular science publications, and on TV. What makes this document particularly interesting is that it reveals the internal bureaucratic mechanism of the Soviet science and technology propaganda of the early 1970s and the details of the organization of censorship in the USSR. It describes the stages of approval of such documents, characterized by numerous endorsements and signatures of the officials. In addition, this document clarifies some facts related to the preparation and flight of the Salyut station. The source is accompanied by the commentaries.