Аннотация: A chronological framework of the mission (the window of opportunities) of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. An essay on the history of space exploration.
A chronological framework of the mission (the window of opportunities) of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. An essay on the history of space exploration.
Priority (first in the history of mankind) civilizational achievements in space exploration, near space (near space - outer space "within borders of" near-earth orbits) - with such phrase the mission of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev (years of life: 1906 [1907] - 1966) can be defined.
The window of opportunity for Sergei Korolev opened after the successes of Wernher von Braun in the creation of ballistic missiles and after the transfer of these technologies into the hands of the USSR (1945).
For clarity, with a huge degree of convention, we can assume that this window of opportunity began to close after May 25, 1961, when US President John F. Kennedy set the task - before the end of the decade to land a man on the Moon and to return him safely to the Earth. Human landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
On May 25, 1961, the task of manned deep space exploration was set. (When characterizing the fundamental difference between near and deep space, one can focus on the specifics of the first and second cosmic velocities). (For the first time, the first cosmic velocity was achieved by the spacecraft of the USSR on October 4, 1957 [First satellite]. For the first time, the second cosmic velocity was achieved by the spacecraft Luna-1 (USSR) on January 2, 1959.).
For manned deep space exploration, the USSR did not have financial resources and other opportunities. S.P. Korolyov very quickly felt these limitations, starting to deal with the problem of a manned flight to the Moon and the landing of a Soviet man on the Moon.
However, to consider the period from 1945 to 1961 (1969) as the chronological framework of the mission (as the window of opportunity) of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev would be a significant simplification.
These dates can only be used for illustration purposes.
The fact is that the activity on the exploration of near space (and the unmanned exploration of deep space) continued to be a field of activity where priority civilizational achievements were possible. This is confirmed by the launch of the first long-term orbital station Salyut on April 19, 1971.
Thus, S.P. Korolev (at first glance) could continue to carry out his mission on the "field" of near space and unmanned deep space exploration, without being involved in a practical solution to the issue of landing a man on the Moon (lunar program).
However, such view does not take into account important processes:
Firstly, the creation over the space and nuclear programs of the USSR, over Sergei Korolev and over Igor Kurchatov, "expert center" with leader role of Mstislav Keldysh and the USSR Academy of Sciences.
Secondly, the creation of competitors for OKB-1, for Sergei Korolev, from organizations headed by Yangel and Chelomey (as well as other designers). Interestingly, even a rocket explosion (on 24 October 1960) at the launch site, accompanied by the death of Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin, did not interfere with Mikhail Yangel's career.
The creation of an "expert center" and of a number of competitors can be combined into the notion of the formation of a "system of checks and balances."
Third, changes in the highest echelons of power. Nikita Khrushchev was fascinated by space achievements and their foreign policy effect. His son Sergei began work (1958-1968) in the organization of Vladimir Chelomey. (Khrushchev's son received the Lenin Prize (1959) for one of the developments. It was both honorable and monetary award).
With the departure of Nikita Khrushchev from the top post in 1964, people appeared in the highest political positions who were much less interested in space achievements, were not keen on them, did not understand who to trust when determining the line of motion in space research.
The completion of all three processes ((a) the formation of an "expert center", (b) the creation of competitors, (c) the change of top management) can be dated, with some convention, by 1964.
Thus, the chronological framework of the mission (the window of opportunity) of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev is the period from 1945 to 1964.
After 1964, it was possible to move from the position of the Chief Designer to the position of a supervisor who is not directly responsible for the results of activities (options are possible), or to the position (role) of a person living by a private life. With element of convention, we can assume that in 1964 the mission of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was completed.
September 19, 2021 13:23
Translation from Russian into English: September 19, 2021 15:03.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Хронологические рамки миссии (окно возможностей) Сергея Павловича Королева. Очерк истории освоения космоса".