The stages of space exploration briefly. Beginning of the space age
Space... One word, and how many mesmerizing pictures appear before your eyes! Myriads of galaxies scattered throughout the Universe, distant and at the same time infinitely close and dear Milky Way, constellation Big and Ursa Minor, peacefully located on the vast sky... The list can be endless. In this article we will get acquainted with the history and some interesting facts.
Space exploration in ancient times: how did they look at the stars before?
In ancient times, people could not observe planets and comets through powerful telescopes like Hubble. The only devices for admiring the beauty of the sky and performing space research, were their own eyes. Of course, human “telescopes” could not see anything except the Sun, Moon and stars (except for the comet in 1812). Therefore, people could only guess about what these yellow and white balls in the sky actually look like. But even then the population of the globe was attentive, so they quickly noticed that these two circles were moving across the sky, then hiding behind the horizon, then appearing again. They also discovered that not all stars behave the same way: some of them remain stationary, while others change their position along a complex trajectory. This is where the great research began. outer space and what is hidden in it.
The ancient Greeks achieved particular success in this field. They were the first to discover that our planet is spherical. Their opinions about the location of the Earth relative to the Sun were divided: some scientists believed that it revolved around a celestial body, others believed that it was the other way around (they were supporters of the geocentric system of the world). The ancient Greeks never came to a consensus. All their works and space research were captured on paper and compiled into a whole treatise called "Almagest". Its author and compiler is the great ancient scientist Ptolemy.
The Renaissance and the destruction of previous ideas about space
Nicolaus Copernicus - who hasn't heard this name? It was he who, in the 15th century, destroyed the erroneous theory of the geocentric system of the world and put forward his own, heliocentric, which argued that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and not vice versa. The medieval Inquisition and the church, unfortunately, did not sleep. They immediately declared such speeches heretical, and the followers of Copernicus’ theory were brutally persecuted. One of her supporters, Giordano Bruno, was burned at the stake. His name has remained for centuries, and to this day we remember the great scientist with respect and gratitude.
Growing Interest in Space
After these events, the attention of scientists to astronomy only intensified. Space exploration has become more and more exciting. As soon as the 17th century began, a new large-scale discovery occurred: the researcher Kepler discovered that the orbits in which the planets revolve around the Sun are not at all round, as previously thought, but elliptical. Thanks to this event, major changes occurred in science. In particular, he discovered mechanics and was able to describe the patterns by which bodies move.
Discovery of new planets
Today we know that there are eight planets in the solar system. Until 2006, their number was nine, but after that the most recent and distant planet from heat and light - Pluto - was excluded from the number of bodies orbiting our celestial body. This happened due to its small size - the area of Russia alone is already larger than the entire Pluto. It was given the status of a dwarf planet.
Until the 17th century, people believed that there were five planets in the solar system. There were no telescopes then, so they judged only by those celestial bodies that they could see with their own eyes. Scientists could not see anything further than Saturn with its icy rings. We would probably still be mistaken to this day if it weren’t for Galileo Galilei. It was he who invented telescopes and helped scientists explore other planets and see other celestial bodies solar system. Thanks to the telescope, it became known about the existence of mountains and craters on the Moon, Saturn, and Mars. Also, the same Galileo Galilei discovered spots on the Sun. Science not only developed, it flew forward by leaps and bounds. And by the beginning of the twentieth century, scientists already knew enough to build the first one and set off to conquer the stars.
Soviet scientists conducted significant space research and achieved great success in the study of astronomy and the development of shipbuilding. True, more than 50 years passed from the beginning of the 20th century before the first space satellite set off to conquer the vastness of the Universe. This happened in 1957. The device was launched in the USSR from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The first satellites were not chasing high results - their goal was to reach the Moon. The first space exploration device landed on the lunar surface in 1959. And also in the 20th century, the Institute of Space Research was opened, in which serious scientific works and discoveries were made.
Soon, satellite launches became commonplace, and yet only one mission to land on another planet ended successfully. We are talking about the Apollo project, during which several times, according to official version, the Americans landed on the moon.
International "space race"
1961 became a memorable year in the history of astronautics. But even earlier, in 1960, two dogs, whose names the whole world knows: Belka and Strelka, went into space. They returned from space safe and sound, having become famous and becoming real heroes.
And April 12 next year Yuri Gagarin, the first person who dared to leave the Earth on the ship Vostok-1, set off to explore the expanses of the Universe.
The United States of America did not want to cede primacy to the USSR in the space race, so they wanted to send their man into space before Gagarin. The United States also lost in launching satellites: Russia managed to launch the device four months before America. Such space explorers as Valentina Tereshkova and Last one first in the world made an appearance in open space, and the most significant achievement of the United States in the exploration of the Universe was only the launch of an astronaut into orbital flight.
But, despite the significant successes of the USSR in the “space race,” America was also no slouch. And on July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft, carrying five space explorers on board, launched towards the surface of the Moon. Five days later, the first man set foot on the surface of the Earth's satellite. His name was Neil Armstrong.
Victory or defeat?
Who actually won the lunar race? There is no exact answer to this question. Both the USSR and the USA showed themselves with the best side: They modernized and improved technical advances in spacecraft, made many new discoveries, and took invaluable samples from the surface of the Moon, which were sent to the Space Research Institute. Thanks to them, it was established that the Earth's satellite consists of sand and stone, and that there is no air on the Moon. Neil Armstrong's footprints left over forty years ago on lunar surface, and are now there. There is simply nothing to erase them: our satellite is deprived of air, there is no wind, no water. And if you go to the Moon, you can leave your mark on history - both literally and figuratively.
Conclusion
Human history is rich and vast, including many great discoveries, wars, epic victories and devastating defeats. The exploration of extraterrestrial space and modern space research rightfully occupy far from the last place on the pages of history. But none of this would have happened without such brave and selfless people as Nicolaus Copernicus, Yuri Gagarin, Sergei Korolev, Galileo Galilei, Giordano Bruno and many, many others. All these great people were distinguished by their outstanding intelligence, developed abilities for studying physics and mathematics, strong character and iron will. We have a lot to learn from them, we can learn from these scientists invaluable experience and positive traits and character traits. If humanity tries to be like them, read a lot, train, study successfully at school and university, then we can say with confidence that we still have many great discoveries ahead, and deep space will be explored soon. And, as one famous song says, our traces will remain on the dusty paths of distant planets.
Space exploration is all that involves our familiarity with space and everything that lies beyond the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Robotic travel to Mars and other planets, sending probes beyond the solar system, studying fast, cheap and safe ways people going into space and colonizing other planets - all this is space exploration. Through the efforts of brave people, brilliant engineers and scientists, as well as space agencies around the world and private leading corporations, humanity will very soon begin to explore space by leaps and bounds. Our only chance to survive as a species is colonization, and the sooner we realize this (and hope it's not too late), the better it will be.
We take for granted that we live on a planet rich in life. With 14 million identified species, the enormous biodiversity on Earth is simply astounding. We depend on this diversity for food and resources, which in turn allows us to thrive and spread across the planet. However, once you leave the Earth's fragile atmosphere, this symbiotic relationship will cease to exist.
Space exploration is the exploration and use of outer space by man for industrial, practical, scientific, and educational purposes.
Humanity turned its gaze to space back in ancient times. At first, people simply observed the sky, noticing patterns in the movement of stars and celestial bodies. Then the first simple optical instruments appeared - in 1608 (400 years ago). They made it possible to see celestial bodies invisible to the naked eye. For example, Galileo Galilei discovered 4 satellites of Jupiter. Over time, scientists invented more and more powerful telescopes, which made it possible to see more and more.
Theoretical research did not stand still either - it helped astronomers understand how and why the planets they observed move, what they are made of, and how they came into being. Further scientific progress gave people extremely complex means of space exploration - radio telescopes, spacecraft, electronic computers that perform complex calculations. The opening of the space era began with the flight of the Soviet Sputnik in 1957 and the first human flight in 1961 opened up new, incredible opportunities in space exploration.
Shortly thereafter, long-term space stations were created where people could stay for a year or more. Scientific and production activity. In space they produce ultra-pure metals, medicines, composite materials. The space industry operates on Earth to create spacecraft. It consists of factories that produce launch vehicles, spacesuits, spacecraft and equipment for them. Research institutes are engaged in the development of these space exploration means. Cosmonauts are trained in special training centers. Space exploration widely represented in culture: books, films, music, computer games. It makes people dream about conquering outer space, flying to distant stars, meeting aliens.
To date, scientific probes have visited all the planets of the solar system, and some have gone beyond its limits. These are Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, launched by the United States in 1977. And in 1969, people first set foot on the surface of the Moon. Artificial satellites have found wide application as navigation and communication satellites. Space telescope satellites have made it possible to peer into the far reaches of the Universe. Space exploration is rapidly developing, and will soon bring new, unprecedented discoveries and opportunities.
Option 2
For many years, people have been trying to understand the secrets of the celestial bodies and planets, the structure of the universe and outer space in the sky above. But only in the last century, from the beginning of the development of the space industry, humanity was able to take small, timid steps in the process of getting to know space.
Research and development attempts life processes in space using manned and automatic spacecraft, the use of outer space, planets and satellites for industrial and research purposes - these are the main directions of space exploration.
In 1957, the USSR became the first country in the world to launch into space artificial satellite, revolving around the globe and marking the beginning of an entire era of space exploration.
It is difficult to list all the milestones in the progress of this difficult and dangerous undertaking. We must not forget all the heroically killed cosmonauts who gave their lives in this unknown and noble cause. But their vital feat was not in vain; taking into account all the mistakes of the tragic flights, the Soviet space science industry began to develop very quickly.
The first human flight into space was carried out on April 12, 1961 on the Vostok-1 spacecraft by Soviet pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. This one is modest and a kind person, with a charming smile, forever became the idol of millions of people around the world.
Already in 1962 space orbit two spacecraft leave simultaneously, making a unique approach of 6 kilometers.
The world's first female cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963, showed a heroic example of the possibility of flight not only for men.
In 1964, the Voskhod spacecraft was launched into Earth orbit for the first time with three cosmonauts on board.
And already in 1965, a risky and dangerous human spacewalk was completed. The hero of this event was cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who forever left a mark on the history of the development of astronautics and became a national hero.
Artificial satellites, automatic research stations on the surfaces of planets, space probes for studying soil and soil composition celestial bodies, Mars rovers, lunar and orbital stations, these are just some of the modern methods and devices for studying intergalactic space.
But even more discoveries and miracles await humanity ahead, and each person, if desired, can make an important contribution to the exploration of outer space.
4th, 5th, 10th grade. In physics
Moscow is the capital of Russia, the capital of my Motherland! Moscow is already 850 years old. Over this many-year period, Moscow has changed and transformed many times. Moscow was built and expanded
There are enough sports in the world, and they are all different from each other. The first requires enormous strength, the second requires endurance, and the third requires speed and good reaction. Gymnastics is also part of the sport.
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The history of space exploration is the most shining example triumph of human reason over unruly matter in the shortest possible time. From the moment a man-made object first overcame gravity and developed sufficient speed to enter Earth's orbit, only a little over fifty years have passed - nothing by the standards of history! Most of the planet's population vividly remembers the times when a flight to the moon was considered something out of science fiction, and those who dreamed of piercing the heights of heaven were recognized as best case scenario, crazy people who are not dangerous to society. Today, spaceships not only “travel the vast expanse”, successfully maneuvering in conditions of minimal gravity, but also deliver cargo, astronauts and space tourists into Earth orbit. Moreover, the duration of a flight into space can now be as long as desired. long time: the shift of Russian cosmonauts on the ISS, for example, lasts 6-7 months. And over the past half century, man has managed to walk on the Moon and photograph its dark side, blessed Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury with artificial satellites, “recognized by sight” distant nebulae with the help of the Hubble telescope, and is seriously thinking about colonizing Mars. And although we have not yet succeeded in making contact with aliens and angels (at least officially), let us not despair - after all, everything is just beginning!
Dreams of space and attempts at writing
For the first time, progressive humanity believed in the reality of flight to distant worlds at the end of the 19th century. It was then that it became clear that if the aircraft was given the speed necessary to overcome gravity and maintained it for a sufficient time, it would be able to go beyond the Earth’s atmosphere and gain a foothold in orbit, like the Moon, revolving around the Earth. The problem was in the engines. The existing specimens at that time either spat extremely powerfully but briefly with bursts of energy, or worked on the principle of “gasp, groan and go away little by little.” The first was more suitable for bombs, the second - for carts. In addition, it was impossible to regulate the thrust vector and thereby influence the trajectory of the apparatus: a vertical launch inevitably led to its rounding, and as a result the body fell to the ground, never reaching space; the horizontal one, with such a release of energy, threatened to destroy all living things around (as if the current ballistic missile were launched flat). Finally, at the beginning of the 20th century, researchers turned their attention to a rocket engine, the operating principle of which has been known to mankind since the turn of our era: fuel burns in the rocket body, simultaneously lightening its mass, and the released energy moves the rocket forward. The first rocket capable of launching an object beyond the limits of gravity was designed by Tsiolkovsky in 1903.
View of Earth from the ISS
First artificial satellite
Time passed, and although two world wars greatly slowed down the process of creating rockets for peaceful use, space progress still did not stand still. The key moment of the post-war period was the adoption of the so-called package rocket layout, which is still used in astronautics today. Its essence is the simultaneous use of several rockets placed symmetrically with respect to the center of mass of the body that needs to be launched into Earth orbit. This provides a powerful, stable and uniform thrust, sufficient for the object to move at a constant speed of 7.9 km/s, necessary to overcome gravity. And so, on October 4, 1957, a new, or rather the first, era in space exploration began - the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite, like everything ingenious, simply called “Sputnik-1”, using the R-7 rocket, designed under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. The silhouette of the R-7, the ancestor of all subsequent space rockets, is still recognizable today in the ultra-modern Soyuz launch vehicle, which successfully sends “trucks” and “cars” into orbit with cosmonauts and tourists on board - the same four “legs” of the package design and red nozzles. The first satellite was microscopic, just over half a meter in diameter and weighed only 83 kg. It completed a full revolution around the Earth in 96 minutes. " Star life The journey of the iron pioneer of astronautics lasted three months, but during this period he covered a fantastic distance of 60 million km!
The first living creatures in orbit
The success of the first launch inspired the designers, and the prospect of sending a living creature into space and returning it unharmed no longer seemed impossible. Just a month after the launch of Sputnik 1, the first animal, the dog Laika, went into orbit on board the second artificial Earth satellite. Her goal was honorable, but sad - to test the survival of living beings in space flight conditions. Moreover, the return of the dog was not planned... The launch and insertion of the satellite into orbit was successful, but after four orbits around the Earth, due to an error in the calculations, the temperature inside the device rose excessively, and Laika died. The satellite itself rotated in space for another 5 months, and then lost speed and burned up in dense layers of the atmosphere. The first shaggy cosmonauts to greet their “senders” with a joyful bark upon their return were the textbook Belka and Strelka, who set off to conquer the heavens on the fifth satellite in August 1960. Their flight lasted just over a day, and during this time the dogs managed to fly around the planet 17 times. All this time, they were watched from monitor screens in the Mission Control Center - by the way, it was precisely because of the contrast that white dogs were chosen - because the image was then black and white. As a result of the launch, the spacecraft itself was also finalized and finally approved - in just 8 months, the first person will go into space in a similar apparatus.
In addition to dogs, both before and after 1961, monkeys (macaques, squirrel monkeys and chimpanzees), cats, turtles, as well as all sorts of little things - flies, beetles, etc., were in space.
During the same period, the USSR launched the first artificial satellite of the Sun, the Luna-2 station managed to softly land on the surface of the planet, and the first photographs of the side of the Moon invisible from Earth were obtained.
The day of April 12, 1961 divided the history of the exploration of space into two periods - “when man dreamed of the stars” and “since man conquered space.”
Man in space
The day of April 12, 1961 divided the history of the exploration of space into two periods - “when man dreamed of the stars” and “since man conquered space.” At 9:07 Moscow time, the Vostok-1 spacecraft with the world's first cosmonaut on board, Yuri Gagarin, was launched from launch pad No. 1 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Having made one revolution around the Earth and traveled 41 thousand km, 90 minutes after the start, Gagarin landed near Saratov, standing on long years the most famous, revered and beloved person on the planet. His “let’s go!” and “everything is visible very clearly - space is black - the earth is blue” were included in the list of the most famous phrases humanity, his open smile, ease and cordiality melted the hearts of people around the world. The first manned flight into space was controlled from Earth; Gagarin himself was more of a passenger, albeit an excellently prepared one. It should be noted that the flight conditions were far from those that are now offered to space tourists: Gagarin experienced eight to tenfold overloads, there was a period when the ship was literally tumbling, and behind the windows the skin was burning and the metal was melting. During the flight, several failures occurred in various systems of the ship, but fortunately, the astronaut was not injured.
Following Gagarin's flight, significant milestones in the history of space exploration fell one after another: the world's first group space flight was completed, then the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova went into space (1963), the first multi-seat flight took place spaceship, Alexey Leonov became the first person to perform a spacewalk (1965) - and all these grandiose events are entirely the merit of the Russian cosmonautics. Finally, on July 21, 1969, the first man landed on the Moon: American Neil Armstrong took that “small, big step.”
Best View in the Solar System
Cosmonautics - today, tomorrow and always
Today, space travel is taken for granted. Hundreds of satellites and thousands of other necessary and useless objects fly above us; seconds before sunrise, from the bedroom window you can see planes flashing in rays still invisible from the ground solar panels International space station, space tourists with enviable regularity set off to “roam the open spaces” (thus embodying the ironic phrase “if you really want to, you can fly into space”) and the era of commercial suborbital flights with almost two departures daily is about to begin. The exploration of space by controlled vehicles is absolutely amazing: there are pictures of stars that exploded long ago, and HD images of distant galaxies, and strong evidence of the possibility of the existence of life on other planets. Billionaire corporations are already coordinating plans to build space hotels in Earth’s orbit, and projects for the colonization of our neighboring planets no longer seem like an excerpt from the novels of Asimov or Clark. One thing is obvious: once having overcome earth's gravity, humanity will again and again strive upward, to the endless worlds of stars, galaxies and universes. I would only like to wish that the beauty of the night sky and myriads of twinkling stars, still alluring, mysterious and beautiful, as in the first days of creation, never leaves us.
Space reveals its secrets
Academician Blagonravov dwelled on some new achievements of Soviet science: in the field of space physics.
Beginning on January 2, 1959, each flight of Soviet space rockets conducted a study of radiation at large distances from the Earth. The so-called outer radiation belt of the Earth, discovered by Soviet scientists, was subjected to detailed study. Studying the composition of radiation belt particles using various scintillation and gas-discharge meters, located on satellites and space rockets, made it possible to establish that the outer belt contains electrons of significant energies up to a million electron volts and even higher. When braking in the shells of spacecraft, they create intense piercing X-ray radiation. During the flight of an automatic interplanetary station towards Venus, the average energy of this x-ray radiation at distances from 30 to 40 thousand kilometers from the center of the Earth, amounting to about 130 kiloelectronvolts. This value changed little with the distance, which allows one to judge that the energy spectrum of electrons in this region is constant.
Already the first studies showed the instability of the outer radiation belt, movements of maximum intensity associated with magnetic storms caused by solar corpuscular flows. Recent measurements from an automatic interplanetary station launched towards Venus have shown that although changes in intensity occur closer to Earth, the outer boundary of the outer belt in a quiet state magnetic field for almost two years it remained constant both in intensity and spatial location. Research recent years also made it possible to construct a model of the ionized gas shell of the Earth based on experimental data for a period close to the maximum of solar activity. Our studies have shown that at altitudes of less than a thousand kilometers, the main role is played by atomic oxygen ions, and starting from altitudes lying between one and two thousand kilometers, hydrogen ions predominate in the ionosphere. The extent of the outermost region of the Earth's ionized gas shell, the so-called hydrogen “corona,” is very large.
Processing of the results of measurements carried out on the first Soviet space rockets showed that at altitudes of approximately 50 to 75 thousand kilometers outside the outer radiation belt, electron flows with energies exceeding 200 electron volts were detected. This allowed us to assume the existence of a third outermost belt of charged particles with a high flux intensity, but lower energy. After the launch of the American Pioneer V space rocket in March 1960, data were obtained that confirmed our assumptions about the existence of a third belt of charged particles. This belt is apparently formed as a result of the penetration of solar corpuscular flows into the peripheral regions of the Earth's magnetic field.
New data were obtained regarding the spatial location of the Earth's radiation belts; an area of increased radiation was discovered in the southern part Atlantic Ocean, which is associated with the corresponding magnetic terrestrial anomaly. In this area, the lower boundary of the Earth's internal radiation belt drops to 250 - 300 kilometers from the Earth's surface.
The flights of the second and third satellites provided new information that made it possible to map the distribution of radiation by ion intensity over the surface of the globe. (The speaker demonstrates this map to the audience).
For the first time, currents created by positive ions included in solar corpuscular radiation were recorded outside the Earth's magnetic field at distances of the order of hundreds of thousands of kilometers from the Earth, using three-electrode charged particle traps installed on Soviet space rockets. In particular, on the automatic interplanetary station launched towards Venus, traps were installed oriented towards the Sun, one of which was intended to record solar corpuscular radiation. On February 17, during a communication session with the automatic interplanetary station, its passage through a significant flow of corpuscles (with a density of about 10 9 particles per square centimeter per second) was recorded. This observation coincided with the observation of a magnetic storm. Such experiments open the way to establishing quantitative relationships between geomagnetic disturbances and the intensity of solar corpuscular flows. On the second and third satellites, the radiation hazard caused by cosmic radiation outside the Earth's atmosphere was studied in quantitative terms. The same satellites were used to study the chemical composition of the primary cosmic radiation. The new equipment installed on the satellite ships included a photoemulsion device designed to expose and develop stacks of thick-film emulsions directly on board the ship. The results obtained are of great scientific value for elucidating the biological influence of cosmic radiation.
Flight technical problems
Next, the speaker focused on a number of significant problems that ensured the organization of human flight into space. First of all, it was necessary to resolve the issue of methods for launching a heavy ship into orbit, for which it was necessary to have powerful rocket technology. We have created such a technique. However, it was not enough to inform the ship of a speed exceeding the first cosmic speed. High precision of launching the ship into a pre-calculated orbit was also necessary.
It should be borne in mind that the requirements for the accuracy of orbital movement will increase in the future. This will require movement correction using special propulsion systems. Related to the problem of trajectory correction is the problem of maneuvering a directional change in the flight trajectory of a spacecraft. Maneuvers can be carried out using impulses transmitted jet engine on separate specially selected sections of trajectories, or with the help of thrust that operates for a long time, for the creation of which electric jet engines (ion, plasma) are used.
Examples of maneuvers include transition to a higher orbit, transition to an orbit entering the dense layers of the atmosphere for braking and landing in a given area. The latter type of maneuver was used when landing Soviet satellite ships with dogs on board and when landing the Vostok satellite.
To carry out a maneuver, perform a number of measurements and for other purposes, it is necessary to ensure stabilization of the satellite ship and its orientation in space, maintained for a certain period of time or changed according to a given program.
Turning to the problem of returning to Earth, the speaker focused on the following issues: speed deceleration, protection from heating when moving in dense layers of the atmosphere, ensuring landing in a given area.
Braking of the spacecraft necessary for damping escape velocity, can be carried out either using a special powerful propulsion system, or by braking the vehicle in the atmosphere. The first of these methods requires very large reserves of weight. Using atmospheric resistance for braking allows you to get by with relatively little additional weight.
A set of problems associated with development protective coatings when braking the vehicle in the atmosphere and organizing the entry process with overloads acceptable for the human body, is a complex scientific and technical problem.
The rapid development of space medicine has put on the agenda the issue of biological telemetry as the main means of medical monitoring and scientific medical research during space flight. The use of radio telemetry leaves a specific imprint on the methodology and technology of biomedical research, since a number of special requirements are imposed on the equipment placed on board spacecraft. This equipment should have very light weight and small dimensions. It should be designed for minimal energy consumption. In addition, the onboard equipment must operate stably during the active phase and during descent, when vibrations and overloads are present.
Sensors designed to convert physiological parameters into electrical signals must be miniature, designed to long work. They should not create inconvenience for the astronaut.
The widespread use of radio telemetry in space medicine forces researchers to pay serious attention to the design of such equipment, as well as to matching the volume of information necessary for transmission with the capacity of radio channels. Since new challenges facing space medicine will lead to further deepening of research and the need to significantly increase the number of recorded parameters, the introduction of systems that store information and coding methods will be required.
In conclusion, the speaker focused on the question of why for the first space travel The option of orbiting the Earth was chosen. This option represented a decisive step towards the conquest of outer space. They provided research into the issue of the influence of flight duration on a person, solved the problem of controlled flight, the problem of controlling the descent, entering the dense layers of the atmosphere and safely returning to Earth. Compared to this, the flight recently carried out in the USA seems of little value. It could be important as an intermediate option for checking a person’s condition during the acceleration stage, during overloads during descent; but after Yu. Gagarin’s flight there was no longer a need for such a check. In this version of the experiment, the element of sensation certainly prevailed. The only value of this flight can be seen in testing the operation of the developed systems that ensure entry into the atmosphere and landing, but, as we have seen, the testing of similar systems developed in our Soviet Union for more difficult conditions was reliably carried out even before the first human space flight. Thus, the achievements achieved in our country on April 12, 1961 cannot be compared in any way with what has been achieved so far in the United States.
And no matter how hard they try, says the academician, those who are hostile towards Soviet Union people abroad belittle the successes of our science and technology with their fabrications, the whole world evaluates these successes properly and sees how much our country has moved forward along the path of technological progress. I personally witnessed the delight and admiration that was caused by the news of the historic flight of our first cosmonaut among the broad masses of the Italian people.
The flight was extremely successful
Academician N. M. Sissakyan made a report on the biological problems of space flights. He described the main stages in the development of space biology and summed up some of the results of scientific biological research related to space flights.
The speaker cited the medical and biological characteristics of Yu. A. Gagarin's flight. In the cabin, barometric pressure was maintained within 750 - 770 millimeters of mercury, air temperature - 19 - 22 degrees Celsius, relative humidity - 62 - 71 percent.
In the pre-launch period, approximately 30 minutes before the launch of the spacecraft, the heart rate was 66 per minute, the respiratory rate was 24. Three minutes before the launch, some emotional stress manifested itself in an increase in heart rate to 109 beats per minute, breathing continued to remain even and calm.
At the moment the spacecraft took off and gradually gained speed, the heart rate increased to 140 - 158 per minute, the respiratory rate was 20 - 26. Changes in physiological indicators during the active phase of the flight, according to telemetric recordings of electrocardiograms and pneimograms, were within acceptable limits. By the end of the active section, the heart rate was already 109, and the respiration rate was 18 per minute. In other words, these indicators reached the values characteristic of the moment closest to the start.
During the transition to weightlessness and flight in this state, cardiovascular and respiratory systems consistently approached the initial values. So, already in the tenth minute of weightlessness, the pulse rate reached 97 beats per minute, breathing - 22. Performance was not impaired, movements retained coordination and the necessary accuracy.
During the descent section, during braking of the apparatus, when overloads arose again, short-term, rapidly passing periods of increased breathing were noted. However, already upon approaching the Earth, breathing became even, calm, with a frequency of about 16 per minute.
Three hours after landing, the heart rate was 68, breathing was 20 per minute, i.e., values characteristic of a calm, normal condition Yu. A. Gagarin.
All this indicates that the flight was extremely successful, well-being and general state The astronaut's performance was satisfactory during all phases of the flight. Life support systems were working normally.
In conclusion, the speaker focused on the most important upcoming problems of space biology.