“The first spacecraft starts from the Earth at a speed of 0.68 s…” This is how the text of the problem begins in a physics textbook for grade 11 students, designed to help consolidate the basic provisions of relativistic mechanics in their minds. So: “The first spacecraft starts from the surface of the earth at a speed of 0.68 s. The second vehicle starts moving from the first one in the same direction with the speed V2=0.86 s. It is necessary to calculate the speed of the second ship relative to the planet Earth.”
Those who want to test their knowledge can practice solving this problem. You can also take part in solving the test together with schoolchildren: “The first spacecraft starts from the surface of the earth at a speed of 0.7 s. (c is the designation for the speed of light). The second vehicle starts moving from the first one in the same direction. Its speed is 0.8 s. You should calculate the speed of the second ship relative to the planet Earth.”
Those who consider themselves knowledgeable in this matter have the opportunity to make a choice - four possible answers are offered: 1) 0; 2) 0.2 s; 3) 0.96 s; 4) 1, 54 p.
An important didactic goal the authors of this lesson put forward is to familiarize students with the physical and philosophical meaning of Einstein's postulates, the essence and propertiesrelativistic concept of time and space, etc. The educational goal of the lesson is to develop a dialectical-materialistic worldview in boys and girls.
But readers of the article who are familiar with the history of domestic space flights will agree that the tasks in which the expression "the first spacecraft" is mentioned can play a more significant educational role. If desired, the teacher using these tasks could reveal both cognitive and patriotic aspects of the issue.
The first spacecraft in space, the success of domestic space science in general - what is known about this?
On the importance of space exploration
Space research has introduced valuable data into science, which made it possible to comprehend the essence of new natural phenomena and put them at the service of people. Using artificial satellites, scientists were able to determine the exact shape of the planet Earth, by studying the orbit it became possible to trace the regions of magnetic anomalies in Siberia. With the use of rockets and satellites, they were able to discover and explore the radiation belts around the Earth. With their help, it became possible to solve many other complex problems.
First spacecraft to visit the moon
The moon is the celestial body with which the most spectacular and impressive advances in space science are associated.
The flight to the Moon for the first time in history was carried out on January 2, 1959 by the automatic station "Luna-1". The first launch of the artificial satellite "Luna-1" was a significant breakthrough in the field of space exploration.space. But the main goal of the project was not achieved. It consisted in the implementation of the flight from Earth to the Moon. The launch of the satellite made it possible to obtain valuable scientific and practical information regarding flights to other space bodies. In the course of the flight of Luna-1, a second space velocity was developed (for the first time!) In addition, it became possible to obtain data on the radiation belt of the globe, and other valuable information was obtained. The world press has given the Luna-1 spacecraft the name Mechta.
AMS "Luna-2" repeated its predecessor almost completely. The instruments and equipment used made it possible to monitor interplanetary space, as well as to correct the information received by Luna-1. The launch (September 12, 1959) was also carried out using the PH 8K72.
September 14 "Luna-2" reached the surface of the Earth's natural satellite. The first ever flight from our planet to the moon was made. On board the AMS were three symbolic pennants, on which was the inscription: "USSR, September 1959." A metal ball was placed in the middle, which, when it hit the surface of a celestial body, shattered into dozens of small pennants.
Tasks assigned to the automatic station:
- reaching the surface of the moon;
- development of the second cosmic velocity;
- overcoming the gravity of planet Earth;
- delivery of "USSR" pennants to the lunar surface.
They were all completed.
East
It was the very first spacethe ship in the world of all launched into Earth's orbit. Academician M. K. Tikhonravov, under the guidance of the famous designer S. P. Korolev, carried out development for many years, starting in the spring of 1957. In April 1958, the approximate parameters of the future ship became known, as well as its general indicators. It was assumed that the first spacecraft would have a weight of about 5 tons and that it would need additional thermal protection weighing about 1.5 when entering the atmosphere. In addition, a pilot ejection was provided.
The creation of the experimental apparatus ended in April 1960. Testing began in the summer.
The first Vostok spacecraft (photo below) consisted of two elements: an instrument compartment and a descent vehicle connected to each other.
The ship was equipped with manual and automatic control, orientation to the Sun and the Earth. In addition, there was a landing, thermal control and power supply. The board was designed for the flight of one pilot in a spacesuit. The vessel had two portholes.
The first spacecraft went into space on April 12, 1961. Now this date is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day. On this day Yu. A. Gagarin launched the world's first spacecraft into orbit. They made a revolution around the Earth.
The main task performed by the first spacecraft with a man on board was to study the well-being and performance of an astronaut outside our planet. Successful flight of Gagarin: ourcompatriot, the first person who saw the Earth from space - the development of science was brought to a new level.
Real flight to immortality
“The first manned spacecraft was launched into Earth orbit on April 12, 1961. The first pilot-cosmonaut of the satellite "Vostok" was a citizen of the USSR, pilot, major Gagarin Yu. A.”
The words from the memorable message of TASS forever remained in history, on one of its most significant and brightest pages. After decades, flights into space will turn into an ordinary, everyday occurrence, but the flight made by a man from a small town in Russia - Gzhatsk - has forever remained in the minds of many generations as a great human feat.
Space Race
Between the Soviet Union and the United States in those years there was an unspoken competition for the right to play a leading role in the conquest of space. The leader of the competition was the Soviet Union. The US lacked powerful launch vehicles.
Soviet astronautics already tested their work in January 1960 during tests in the Pacific Ocean. All the major newspapers in the world published information that a man would soon be launched into space in the USSR, which, of course, would leave the United States behind. All the people of the world have been waiting for the first human flight with great impatience.
In April 1961, man first looked at the Earth from space. "Vostok" rushed towards the Sun, the whole planet followed this flight from radio receivers. The world was shaken andexcited, everyone was watching the greatest experiment in the history of mankind.
The minutes that shook the world
"Man in space!" This news interrupted the work of radio and telegraph agencies in mid-sentence. “Man has been launched by the Soviets! Yuri Gagarin in space!”
Vostok took only 108 minutes to fly around the planet. And these minutes not only testified to the speed of the flight of the spacecraft. These were the first minutes of the new space age, which is why the world was so shocked by them.
The race between the two superpowers for the title of winner in the struggle for space exploration ended with the victory of the USSR. In May, the United States also launched a man into space on a ballistic trajectory. And yet, the beginning of man's exit beyond the Earth's atmosphere was laid by the Soviet people. The first spacecraft "Vostok" with an astronaut on board was sent precisely by the Land of the Soviets. This fact was the subject of extraordinary pride of the Soviet people. Moreover, the flight lasted longer, went much higher, followed a much more complex trajectory. In addition, Gagarin's first spacecraft (the photo shows his appearance) cannot be compared with the capsule in which the American pilot flew.
Morning of the space age
These 108 minutes changed the life of Yuri Gagarin, our country and the whole world forever. After the first spacecraft with a man on board went into space, thisthe people of the Earth began to consider the event in the morning of the space age. There was no person on the planet who would enjoy such great love not only of his fellow citizens, but of the people of the whole world, regardless of nationality, political and religious beliefs. His feat was the personification of all the best created by the human mind.
Ambassador of Peace
After flying around the Earth on the Vostok ship, Yuri Gagarin set off on a journey around the world. Everyone wanted to see and hear the world's first astronaut. He was equally cordially received by prime ministers and presidents, grand dukes and kings. And also Gagarin was joyfully greeted by miners and dock workers, military men and scientists, students of the great universities of the world and the elders of abandoned villages in Africa. The first cosmonaut was equally simple, friendly and welcoming to everyone. He was a true "ambassador of peace", recognized by the nations.
One big and beautiful human house
Gagarin's diplomatic mission was very important for the country. No one could have been so successful as the first man in space did, to tie knots of friendship between people and nations, to unite thoughts and hearts. He possessed an unforgettable, charming smile, amazing benevolence, which united people from different countries, different beliefs. Unusually convincing were his passionate, heartfelt speeches calling for world peace.
“I saw how beautiful the Earth is,” said Gagarin. - State borders are indistinguishable from outer space. Our planet looks from space as one big andbeautiful human home. All honest people of the Earth are responsible for order and peace in their homes. He was boundlessly believed.
Unprecedented rise of the country
At the dawn of that unforgettable day, he was familiar to a limited circle of people. At noon, the whole planet recognized his name. Millions reached out to him, they fell in love with him for his kindness, youth, beauty. For mankind, he became a harbinger of the future, a scout who returned from a dangerous search, who opened new paths to knowledge.
In the eyes of many, he personified his country, was a representative of the people, who at one time made a huge contribution to the victory over the Nazis, and now the first to rise into space. The name of Gagarin, who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, has become a symbol of the country's unprecedented rise to new heights of social and economic progress.
The initial stage of space exploration
Even before the famous flight, when the first spacecraft with a man on board was launched into space, Gagarin thought about the importance of space exploration for people, for which powerful ships and rockets are needed. Why are telescopes mounted and orbits calculated? Why do satellites take off and radio antennas rise? He understood very well the urgent need and importance of these matters and sought to contribute to the initial stage of human space exploration.
The first Vostok spacecraft: tasks
The main scientific tasks that the Vostok spacecraft faced were as follows. First, the study of the impact of flight conditions in orbit on the statethe human body and its performance. Secondly, testing the principles of building spaceships.
History of Creation
In 1957 S. P. Korolev, within the framework of the scientific design bureau, organized a special department No. 9. It provided for work on the creation of artificial satellites of our planet. The department was headed by an associate of Korolev M. K. Tikhonravym. Also, the issues of creating a satellite piloted by a person on board were studied here. The Royal R-7 was considered as a launch vehicle. According to calculations, a rocket with a third degree of protection was able to launch a five-ton payload into low Earth orbit.
Mathematicians of the Academy of Sciences took part in the calculations at an early stage of development. A warning was issued that a tenfold overload could result in a ballistic de-orbit.
The department investigated the conditions for the implementation of this task. I had to abandon the consideration of winged options. As the most acceptable way to return a person, the possibilities of his ejection and further descent by parachute were studied. There was no provision for a separate rescue of the descent vehicle.
In the course of ongoing medical research, it was proved that the most acceptable for the human body is the spherical shape of the descent vehicle, which allows it to withstand significant loads without serious consequences for the astronaut's he alth. It was the spherical shape that was chosen for the production of the manned descent vehiclevessel.
The Vostok-1K ship was the first to be sent. It was an automatic flight that took place in May 1960. Later, a modification of the Vostok-3KA was created and tested, which was completely ready for manned flights.
In addition to one failed flight, which ended in a launch vehicle failure at the very start, the program provided for the launch of six unmanned vehicles and six manned spacecraft.
Program implemented:
- carrying out a human flight into space - the first spacecraft "Vostok 1" (the photo represents the image of the vessel);
- flight lasting a day: "Vostok-2";
- group flights: Vostok-3 and Vostok-4;
- participation in the space flight of the first female cosmonaut: Vostok-6.
"Vostok": characteristics and device of the ship
Features:
- weight - 4.73 t;
- length - 4.4 m;
- diameter - 2.43 m.
Device:
- spherical descent vehicle (2.46t, 2.3m);
- orbital and conical instrument compartments (2.27 t, 2.43 m) - they are mechanically connected to each other using pyrotechnic locks and metal bands.
Equipment
Automatic and manual control, automatic orientation to the Sun and manual orientation to the Earth.
Life support (provided for 10 days to maintain the internal atmosphere corresponding to the parameters of the atmosphereEarth).
Command logic control, power supply, thermal control, landing.
For human work
In order to ensure the work of man in space, the board was equipped with the following equipment:
- autonomous and radio telemetry devices necessary to monitor the astronaut's condition;
- devices for radiotelephone communication with ground stations;
- command radio link;
- program-temporary devices;
- television system for observing the pilot from the ground;
- radio system for controlling the ship's orbit and direction finding;
- brake propulsion system and others.
Descent vehicle device
There were two portholes in the descent vehicle. One of them was located on the entrance hatch, slightly above the pilot's head, the other, with a special orientation system, was placed in the floor at his feet. The cosmonaut, dressed in a space suit, sat in an ejection seat. It was envisaged that after braking the descent vehicle at an altitude of 7 km, the cosmonaut should eject and land on a parachute. In addition, it was possible for the pilot to land inside the apparatus itself. The descent vehicle had a parachute, but was not equipped with means for a soft landing. This threatened the person in it with serious bruises upon landing.
If automatic systems failed, the astronaut could use manual control.
The Vostok ships had no devices for human flight onmoon. In them, the flight of people without special training was unacceptable.
Who piloted the Vostok ships?
Yu. A. Gagarin: the first spacecraft "Vostok - 1". The photo below is an image of the layout of the ship. G. S. Titov: "Vostok-2", A. G. Nikolaev: "Vostok-3", P. R. Popovich: Vostok-4, V. F. Bykovsky: Vostok-5, V. V. Tereshkova: Vostok-6.
Conclusion
108 minutes, during which the "Vostok" made a revolution around the Earth, the life of the planet was forever changed. Not only historians cherish the memory of these minutes. Living generations and our distant descendants will reread with respect the documents that tell about the birth of a new era. The era that opened the way for people to the vast expanses of the Universe.
No matter how far humanity has advanced in its development, it will always remember this amazing day when a person first found himself alone with the cosmos. People will always remember the immortal name of the glorious pioneer of space, which became an ordinary Russian man - Yuri Gagarin. All today's and tomorrow's achievements in space science can be considered steps in his wake, the result of his first and most important victory.
