Space 2023, April

50 years have passed since the launch of the first artificial moon satellite

50 years have passed since the launch of the first artificial moon satellite

The day of March 31, 1966 went down in history forever as another memorable date for the national cosmonautics. On this day, exactly 50 years ago, the successful launch of the first ever artificial lunar satellite took place. At 13:49:59 Moscow time, a Molniya-M rocket took off from the Baikonur cosmodrome

Lunar mission "Chang'e-5" (China)

Lunar mission "Chang'e-5" (China)

The People's Republic of China continues to work on its projects in the rocket and space field. Perhaps the most daring and ambitious is the lunar exploration project. Within the framework of their own lunar program, Chinese specialists have already developed and implemented several projects, and

Extraterrestrial Death Form

Extraterrestrial Death Form

Looking at a shooting star, do not rush to make a wish. Human whims are not always good. And shooting stars also do not always bring joy: many of them do not know how to fulfill desires, but they can forgive all sins at once

Weapons are banned. Part 6: Nuclear Weapons in Space

Weapons are banned. Part 6: Nuclear Weapons in Space

From the very beginning of space exploration and the emergence of space technology, the military began to think about how to make the most of outer space. More than once ideas have appeared on the deployment of various weapons in space, including nuclear ones. Currently

Russia will not acquire its own orbital station in the near future

Russia will not acquire its own orbital station in the near future

On November 17, on Monday, the media disseminated information that Russia could acquire its own orbital station in the near future. The relevant material was presented by the Kommersant edition, which referred to its own sources. Conversations about construction

Soviet lunar scientific station "Barmingrad"

Soviet lunar scientific station "Barmingrad"

At present, Russia is again returning to the idea of building a manned station on the Moon. This project was relevant back in the 1960s. Already in 1962, Soviet designers and cosmonauts began developing a similar project, which is known today as "Barmingrad" (named after the general

Cosmonautics Day. Our country is a space power, and we should be proud of it

Cosmonautics Day. Our country is a space power, and we should be proud of it

On April 12, Russia celebrates Cosmonautics Day, and the whole world celebrates International Aviation and Cosmonautics Day. This holiday is timed to coincide with the first date of manned space flight. As you know, the first person to fly into space was the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin. Almost

"Angara": triumph or oblivion. Part 7

"Angara": triumph or oblivion. Part 7

Soldier Rocket We said above that the Angara is aiming at least to "squeeze out" three classes of launch vehicles. This is already impressive. Moreover, the conquest of at least some niche in orbital space is already a "gold mine", Klondike. Judge for yourself - only the United States has more than 400 military personnel in orbit

Cosmodromes of the world. Part 1

Cosmodromes of the world. Part 1

To launch spacecraft into space, in addition to the launch pad, a complex of structures is needed where pre-launch activities are carried out: final assembly and docking of the launch vehicle and the spacecraft, pre-launch testing and diagnostics, refueling with fuel and an oxidizer. Usually

Russians on Mars

Russians on Mars

The discovery of water on Mars and the Moon by European and American probes is primarily a merit of Russian scientists

How do satellites shoot down?

How do satellites shoot down?

The armed forces of developed countries are actively using spacecraft for various purposes. With the help of satellites in orbit, navigation, communications, reconnaissance, etc. are carried out. As a result, spacecraft become a priority target for the enemy. Disabling at least part

"Angara": triumph or oblivion. Part 5

"Angara": triumph or oblivion. Part 5

The Nightmares of Chinese Space In the previous chapter, we analyzed in great detail and with illustrative examples the basic postulates of the great Russian design school, which also work perfectly in space design. However, you need to know one nuance. The fact is that the accents here are placed a little in

Project of the aerospace system "Blizzard"

Project of the aerospace system "Blizzard"

In recent years, the development of private companies operating in the aerospace industry has attracted particular interest of specialists and the general public. A number of foreign organizations of this kind have already presented several different designs of different classes with different characteristics. Similar

Russia abandons the ISS

Russia abandons the ISS

Dmitry Rogozin's announcement at the very beginning of December about the planned withdrawal from the ISS project practically coincided with the announcement of the Russian President about the termination of the South Stream project, therefore it passed much less noticeably. Although in fairness it should be noted that Rogozin's rhetoric in this matter remains

Roc bird of unknown purpose

Roc bird of unknown purpose

The currently privately funded Stratolaunch system was conceptually described in the early 1990s by a group of engineers at the V.I. Dryden commissioned by NASA. The air launch was worked out in connection with its all-azimuth, that is, the possibility

Researchers with and without experience. 2020 Mars missions

Researchers with and without experience. 2020 Mars missions

AMS "Al-Amal" at the stage of assembly. Photo by UAE Space Agency / emiratesmarsmission.ae Right now there is a launch window for flights to Mars. The July-August launch allows the spacecraft to reach its target by the end of next winter and save several months. This

Forty-fifth expedition to Mars

Forty-fifth expedition to Mars

What is a minimum of information at a maximum cost? - These are launches of space stations on Mars. November 18, 2013 from Cape Canaveral, an Atlas-V launch vehicle was launched with an automatic interplanetary station MAVEN, designed to study the atmosphere of Mars

DynaSoar and Spiral. The successes and failures of the first spaceplanes

DynaSoar and Spiral. The successes and failures of the first spaceplanes

The idea of a rocket spaceplane capable of ascending into orbit and returning to Earth like an airplane appeared several decades ago. Over time, its development led to the so-called. orbital aircraft, including those that have found practical application. However, until a certain time of work in this

Launch vehicle "Angara": closer to the stars

Launch vehicle "Angara": closer to the stars

The construction of the technical complex for launching the Angara launch vehicles is entering its final stage. The launch of a new generation of missiles is guaranteed to take place before the end of 2014. The Angara launch vehicle with new environmentally friendly engines will eventually be able to replace most of the existing

Reusable space: promising US spacecraft projects

Reusable space: promising US spacecraft projects

On July 21, 2011, the American spacecraft Atlantis made its last landing, which put an end to the long and exciting Space Transportation System program. For a variety of technical and economic reasons, it was decided to discontinue the operation of the Space Shuttle system

Outer space control system will receive a big update

Outer space control system will receive a big update

Optoelectronic systems of the Okno-M complex. The Russian space forces have a developed outer space control system (SKKP), which includes a variety of ground complexes. In the near future, this system will undergo modernization - it will include new components with

Production of Buran-class spacecraft may resume in Russia

Production of Buran-class spacecraft may resume in Russia

In the framework of the Russian Arms Expo-2013 exhibition held in Nizhny Tagil, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin made a sensational statement that the country could resume production of Buran-class spacecraft. “Future aircraft will be able to climb into the stratosphere, space technology

Fast and guaranteed: the US wants to change the world of rocket and space launches again

Fast and guaranteed: the US wants to change the world of rocket and space launches again

All at once Developers from the United States have recently taken at least several significant steps in the development of the rocket and space industry. In November, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket flew for the first time using the same first stage for the seventh time. In the same month, a private

The future of China's space: the reusable Tengyun system

The future of China's space: the reusable Tengyun system

China continues to develop its rocket and space industry and explore new directions. In recent years, special attention has been paid to reusable space systems, and it is already known about the existence of several projects of this kind. Recently, industry representatives clarified their plans for

Expensive and fast. Space X ballistic missiles to supply US troops

Expensive and fast. Space X ballistic missiles to supply US troops

Something like this will look like the launch of a military transport rocket built on the basis of Falcon 9. Source: rbk.ru Until recently, it was impossible due to the lack of technology

Multipurpose mystery: China's first reusable spacecraft

Multipurpose mystery: China's first reusable spacecraft

Presumably, preparations for the launch of a reusable ship. Photo Weibo.com China is developing its rocket and space program and mastering new directions. The other day, a flight of a promising reusable spacecraft was carried out. Most of the data about this event and the ship itself

She flies, but how beautiful is that?

She flies, but how beautiful is that?

So, the heavy "Angara" successfully started, judging by Rogozin's tweets, rather in spite of than anything else. But - it is definitely worth rejoicing for several reasons at once, which we will now consider. Source: roscosmos.ru

Waiting for a revolution: from TEM to Nuclon

Waiting for a revolution: from TEM to Nuclon

The most interesting and promising project in the rocket and space sector will soon enter a new stage. In the near future, the domestic industry will begin the development of the promising space complex "Nuclon". It will be based on a transport and energy module with a nuclear power propulsion system

Control of the Earth's surface: space constellation of the RF Aerospace Forces in the coming years

Control of the Earth's surface: space constellation of the RF Aerospace Forces in the coming years

Launch of the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with the Kosmos-2518 spacecraft - the second EKS satellite, May 25, 2017 Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense On July 3, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper published an interview with the commander of the aerospace forces, Colonel-General Sergei Surovikin. He spoke about the current

Nuclear technology for space

Nuclear technology for space

Demonstration of the SNAP 3 generator to the US leadership, 1959. Photo by the US Department of Energy Already in the early stages of the development of the rocket and space industry, the first proposals for the use of various nuclear technologies appeared. Various technologies and units were proposed and worked out, but only some of them

The Pentagon and UOO: an uninhabited orbital outpost in low orbit

The Pentagon and UOO: an uninhabited orbital outpost in low orbit

General view of the system consisting of Dream Chaser (above) and Shooting Star The Pentagon launches a new project in the space field. Sierra Nevada Corporation has received an order to develop a light space station Unmanned Orbital Outpost ("Unmanned Orbital Outpost"), capable of carrying various loads and

"Roar" in the sky. Has Russia preferred a dangerous missile to the Angara?

"Roar" in the sky. Has Russia preferred a dangerous missile to the Angara?

Shaped diversity The world is increasingly talking about the "rocket revolution": this is due to both the rapid growth in the number of launches of the reusable Falcon 9, and the emergence of light cheap rockets like Electron, which, we recall, should also become reusable. In perspective. Anyway, the number

Not on the way with Federation: why is Roscosmos reviving the Buran concept?

Not on the way with Federation: why is Roscosmos reviving the Buran concept?

"Eagle" did not take off SpaceX's successes are spinning the head not only of its leader, but also of many other specialists in the rocket and space industry. Not so long ago, for example, the not too well-known Russian company Reusable Space Transport Systems (MTKS) announced the development of a fundamentally new

"Tundra" in space: space group of early warning systems resumes work

"Tundra" in space: space group of early warning systems resumes work

Preparations for the launch of a carrier rocket with the third satellite "Tundra", September 26, 2019 Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense Current plans for its development

Classification of space and anti-space weapons: a view from the United States

Classification of space and anti-space weapons: a view from the United States

As you know, the United States is actively resisting the conclusion of an agreement banning the deployment of weapons systems in space (at the moment there is only an agreement on nuclear weapons in orbit). Negotiations on this issue, however, continue periodically. At

Strange little shuttle: why the Pentagon launches the X-37B again

Strange little shuttle: why the Pentagon launches the X-37B again

Threat from Space On May 16, the American Atlas V launch vehicle (the one that uses the Russian "discord engine" RD-180 in the first stage) will launch the experimental X-37B spacecraft from the launch site at Cape Canaveral. This will be the sixth launch of the spacecraft and one of the most important in its

Astra Space Failure: The Pentagon Didn't Get a Cheap Booster Again

Astra Space Failure: The Pentagon Didn't Get a Cheap Booster Again

Unbearable lightness The situation with modern American rocketry is difficult to compare with anything: perhaps the United States has never had so many potentially revolutionary innovations. First of all, we are talking about SpaceX with its partially-reusable heavy-class Falcon 9 rocket. Due to the launch price of 60

Zeroing the space program, or All hope is now on the "Petrel"

Zeroing the space program, or All hope is now on the "Petrel"

The Burevestnik nuclear rocket dramatically expands Russia's space prospects. This opinion was expressed by one author. This is a rather controversial opinion, and therefore, before arguing, I want to figure it out. So, the West is scared? No. In the West, in general, they look very critically at Flying Chernobyl. but

Laser weapons in space. Features of operation and technical problems

Laser weapons in space. Features of operation and technical problems

It is widely believed that the best environment for the use of laser weapons (LW) is outer space. On the one hand, this is logical: in space, laser radiation can propagate practically without interference caused by the atmosphere, weather conditions, natural and