Raketno kosmchsky krp En imn SP Krl : ROSCOSMOS. 41st Academic Readings in Cosmonautics at Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MSTU)

ROSCOSMOS. 41st Academic Readings in Cosmonautics at Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MSTU)

January 24, 2016

January 24, 2017, Bauman Moscow State Technical University hosted the opening of the 41st Academic Readings in Cosmonautics dedicated to the memory of Academician S.P. Korolev and our country's other outstanding scientists - pioneers of space exploration.

Traditionally, the Readings at MSTU provide a forum for specialists to discuss fundamental problems of cosmonautics and the current status of its particular areas; the achievements of various schools of design in the rocket and space industry; humanitarian aspects of space activities and their role in socioeconomic and strategic development of the modern civilization.

Timed to coincide with the opening of the Readings was one more event at MSTU - the opening of the exhibition 'S.P. Korolev. Finishing Touches to the Portrait of the Chief Designer of Rocket and Space Hardware. To Mark His 110th Anniversary'.

Taking part in the plenary meeting were the leadership of organizing committee of the Readings - general director of State Corporation Roscosmos Igor Komarov (co-chairman), general designer for manned space systems, academician Yevgeni Mikrin (chairman), rector of Bauman MSTU Anatoli Alexandrov (co-chairman).

Participants in the plenary session unanimously agreed that S.P.Korolev played an exceptional role in formation of the world's cosmonautics and its major areas. General director of State Corporation Roscosmos Igor Komarov also noted that 'the current state of our country's cosmonautics would have been unthinkable without the contribution of Sergei Korolev. Many of his ideas were far ahead of their time and turned out to be a great investment into the future'.

But the time does not stand still. And, speaking about current tasks, Igor Komarov pointed out: 'Today we set our sights on interplanetary missions, exploration of the Moon and Mars, development of radically new launch vehicles. And that's why we need the kind of breakthroughs that happened in the days of Korolev. And we expect our companies and scientific organizations to rise to the challenge'.

The response to the challenge may come from a number of advanced projects presented at splinter sessions of the Readings, the authors of which have already proposed interesting solutions of varying maturity.

Among them is a proposal to establish a space solar power station in Earth orbit, formulated by specialists from TsNIIMash, Moscow Aviation Institute and Lavochkin NPO. According to the specialists, the price of 'electricity from space' might be as low as a sixth of the price of electricity produced on Earth, which, undoubtedly, should make this idea highly relevant.

One more project consists in developing upper stages to put payloads into orbit using solar thermal rocket engines was presented by scientists of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). Ballistic efficiency of such upper stages with solar engines will exceed the capabilities of orbital transfer vehicles with liquid engines by a factor of one-and-a-half or two.

Specialists from V.P. Makeev State Rocket Center proposed to resume the work on developing our country's reusable one-stage launch vehicle Korona with vertical take-off and landing, which could be used for constructing modular orbital stations or delivery of cargoes to the ISS. Today the specialists of the company have already done feasibility studies and developed an efficient schedule for the development of the launch vehicle, as well as analyzed the future prospects and results of the development and operation of such a launch vehicle.

One can find out more about these and other advanced projects for the development of out country's spaceflight at splinter sessions of the Readings within the next few days - from January 24 to 27 at Bauman MSTU, and at www.korolevspace.ru.

ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation established in August of 2015 in order to conduct a comprehensive reform of the rocket and space industry in Russia. Roskosmos assures implementation of the Government policies in the field of space activities and provides for them a legal and regulatory framework, as well as places orders for the development, production and delivery of space hardware and space infrastructure facilities. Its functions also include development of international cooperation in space, as well as creating conditions for using results of space activities for social and economic development of Russia.

ROSCOSMOS press-service