Scientific-Technical Aspects of the World’s First Ukrainian Space Complex «veselka»

Abstract

On October 27, 1961, the first world’s space launch vehicle (not completed and tested well ballistic missile) 11K63 (63S1) with a satellite was launched. The main goal of the new space complex “Veselka” (“Rainbow”) (K11K63) was to define potential branches for the effective usage of space technologies. The weight of the first Ukrainian satellite DS-1 (Dnipropetrovsk satellite) was 310 lbs. The practical usage of new space complex was the launch of artificial satellites weighing up to 990 lbs into low Earth orbit. For comparison, the weight of the first American satellite was 30 lbs. with the 4th stage of the rocket, without the possibility to detach the last stage. The satellite DS-1 passed all tests necessary for that time. It was completely ready for work in the conditions of outer space. But … the first Ukrainian satellite to go into space was DS-2, launched on March 16, 1962, in the 3rd launch attempt. For the first time, an attempt was made to analyze the phenomenon of creating the world’s first space complex and launching serial satellites of the Earth (hereinafter – the well-known series “Cosmos”) against the historical background. The scientific, technical, and military-applied aspects of the development of the space complex were analyzed. The role of the powerful industrial cooperation from the very beginning planned by Academies of Sciences, branch institutes, and scientists of Eastern Europe, France, Sweden, and India (the “Intercosmos” program) for the development of the complex was described. The issues of staff training for the rocket and space industry are particularly underlined as a key factor of success in space. Some inaccuracies regarding the history of Ukrainian satellites were noted and fixed, which are often found in some publications on this topic.