| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 412.1 | | MONSTR::HUGHES | | Tue Mar 15 1988 09:43 | 26 |
| A historical note...
Traditionally, the Soviets have test flown all of their manned
spacecraft without crews. Typically, two successful complete systems
tests preceded the first manned flight. The successful Zond flights
in 1968 probably had a lot to do with the decision to turn Apollo
8 into a circumlunar flight.
Again, all previous Soviet manned spacecraft have operated by default
under ground command. It is only the more recent Soyuz T and TM series
where the cosmonauts have had much autonomous control over the
spacecraft. In Vostok/Voskhod, the cosmonauts were 'along for the
ride' and in Soyuz they would typically only take control in an
emergency. Even then not always; voice data from Soyuz 18A (abort
during ascent) indicated that the cosmonauts had no control over
the abort sequence.
They must be fairly confident if they are preannouncing a test launch.
If it is soon, it will be the second Energia flight. I still think
that the failure during the last Energia flight was related to their
equivalent of the OMS. Of course, they could try for a sub-orbital
once around and return to launch site test.
Where was the article, btw?
gary
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| 412.2 | re:1 | SASE::BIRO | | Tue Mar 15 1988 09:50 | 6 |
| re: 1
TASS reported that the article was written, and commented on the
article but did not publish it
Nick Johnson may have a copy .
jb
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| 412.3 | | MONSTR::HUGHES | | Tue Mar 15 1988 13:55 | 5 |
| If it is near to being launched, I may start taping Soviet news.
They frequently have segments about Mir although I've no idea what
they are saying.
gary
|
| 412.4 | From CNN and Radio Moscow | DICKNS::KLAES | Kind of a Zen thing, huh? | Wed Mar 16 1988 09:54 | 41 |
| From: [email protected] (Bruce Watson)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Soviet Space Shuttle launch imminent?
Date: 15 Mar 88 01:37:05 GMT
Organization: InterComeX/Star Net, Denver
I don't know why Cable Network News comes up with these items
during hours when I am semiconcious and then doesn't follow up at a
decent hour, but:
Apparently the Soviet Space shuttle is attached to an Energia
which is on the pad and is almost ready for launch--weeks from now
rather than months.
Also the report said that their shuttle would be used only 2 or 3
times a year since it was not designed as an all purpose vehicle (no
names, no flames), but for crew transfer.
Anyone seen or read any more about this?
From: [email protected] (Jonathan McDowell)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Soviet Space Shuttle launch imminent?
Date: 15 Mar 88 20:01:00 GMT
Organization: Harvard/Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Radio Moscow a week ago quoted chief Shuttle pilot Igor Volk as
saying that preparations for an unpiloted test launch of their shuttle
were at an advanced stage; the implication seemed to be that it will
be going in the next month or so. (Maybe Apr 12 which is the 27th
anniversary of Gagarin's flight as well as the 7th anniversary of
STS-1!) They'll probably fly it with a crew (Volk and Lefchenko?) late
in the year or early next if all goes well; whats the betting
Discovery will still be on the ground when it happens?
Jonathan McDowell
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics,60 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
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| 412.5 | Go For Launch | SASE::BIRO | | Fri Mar 18 1988 10:25 | 17 |
|
go for launch.....
not longer a rumor
Radio Moscow announced at 1400 utc today friday 19 Mar 88
that the Soviet Space Shuttle is ready for launch sooon.
The Date will be announce ahead of time and live coverage of the
launch on TV
the news broadcast was at 09 min pass the hour and at 1500 utc
it was repeated in the same time slot, watch for this to move
toward the begining of the hour for a good hint that the launch
is about to happen
keep the tapes rolling jb
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| 412.6 | | MONSTR::HUGHES | | Mon Mar 21 1988 11:50 | 8 |
| Last week's Aviation Sneak (late because it was the thick Forecast &
Inventory issue) repors that the Soviet Shuttle is expected to be ready
for launch possibly within a few weeks.
Hopefully there will more info this week. The F&I issue is usually
light on for current news.
gary
|
| 412.7 | More information on Soviet space shuttle | AUTHOR::KLAES | Kind of a Zen thing, huh? | Mon Mar 21 1988 13:16 | 60 |
| From: [email protected] (Glenn Chapman)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Rumors of Soviet Shuttle Launch in next few days
Date: 19 Mar 88 04:59:40 GMT
There are many indications that the Soviet Union is on the verge
of launching the first test flight of its Shuttle vehicle within the
next few days. First, about a month ago they stated that the next
launch of Energia (their large, 100 Tonne to orbit booster) would
carry a test of a fully reusable space plane. Secondly, in the past
few days there have statements on both the BBC (British Broadcast
Corps) shortwave, and Reuters news service, that the Soviets have been
inviting news services to send reporters to the Baikonur cosmodrome to
watch the launch. It has been said that Cable News Network (CNN) will
carry the liftoff live (or nearly live). However, while this sounds
strong for a liftoff, there have been no statements about an impending
launch on Radio Moscow (shortwave). Instead, there has been, for the
past several days, reports about the launch of the Indian Earth
Observation Satellite on March 15 (That is the first commercial launch
for India).
Their shuttle, as they have previously stated, will be launched
unmanned and strapped to the side of the Energia booster. The shuttle
does not have its own main engines, these 4 hydrogen/oxygen boosters
are carried on the core section of Energia (there are 4
Kerosene/oxygen strapon first stage engines around the sustainer
core). There is considerable debate on how complete this vehicle is.
James Oberg (a well known US expert on the Soviet space program) has
stated that it will only be a boiler plate vehicle, and will be
destroyed on reentry. On the other hand, there have been many
statements that the cosmonauts corps opposed an unmanned test launch.
Also, several soviet officials stated last year that there were
problems with the automatic control system, making unmanned landings
of it rather difficult. Art Bozlee (another US export on the Soviet
space program) stated that there was no evidence for the earlier
rumors about an explosion of an Energia booster on the pad late last
year. However, he did find out that an Energia was moved out to the
pad in December, a partial countdown made, and then it was moved back
to the assembly building. This would be consistent with a dry run
test of the launch system, but does not prove things one way or the
other. By the way, there are many indications now that Energia is
moved to the pad horizontally, and then raised vertically, which is
what I expected.
The Soviets would love to launch their shuttle before the US one
gets going again. It is now generally agreed that its main purpose
would be to bring back large cargos from their space stations.
However, the launch of a boiler plate version which does not land
would not win them much credit in the West. Hence, if they really
have invited in the Western press, it will be something more than
that, but certainly less than one of NASA's vehicles. Meanwhile, the
news reports say that the Congressional budget committee cut NASA's
funds to about $10 billion (from the $11.4 asked for). The American
people keep on saying that they want to be leaders in Space, they just
do not to pay for it. Well, let us see the if the current Administration's
plan to turn things over to business works out better than government funding.
Glenn Chapman
MIT Lincoln Lab
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| 412.8 | T-* and holding | SASE::BIRO | | Wed Mar 23 1988 11:57 | 23 |
|
Soviet Space Shuttle
18 March 1988 at 1400 utc Radio Moscow announce that the Shuttle would be
launched soon
1507 utc same message
1604 utc move up to 4 min pass hour indicating it would
happen soon
19 March 1988 at 0100 utc no mention of the shuttle
2309 utc the last item was the shuttle and this
was the last time I heard Radio Moscow announce it
20 March 1988 communication between MIR and SESS resumes
indicating that the ship is back not sure if related
or not but I think so
21 March 1988 log seven SESS (Space Event Support Ships) normally 5
are at sea for a major mission
so it seem that it was set for last Saturday but some technical
problem has postponed the launch, my guess based on speculation
will be a delay for maybe June
John
|
| 412.9 | Raido Moscow news on Shuttle | SASE::BIRO | | Fri Apr 08 1988 09:40 | 79 |
| from last night Radio Moscow Science and Tech show
8 Apr 88 , copied as fast as I could so it is not a
one to one transcriptions but my best guess at it
topic was the Soveit Space Shuttle, before they went into the
discription they stated that it would be launch soon, whatever thats
means
at what stage is the work now
The space shuttle itself as well as the booster rocket is now being
subjective to comprehensive test and adjustments. The space shuttle
is being taught to fly and to land. This work is proceeding quite
sucessfully, taken part in it are the test pilots
IGOR VOLK and ANATOLY LEFCHENKO (?sp) who have the experience
of flight aboard spacecraft of the Soyuz type. The new technology
is performing well and can land in either the manual or the completely
automatic mode. In future a similar automatic system mode will be
introduce in Soviet Airline, this would considerable increase there
capabilities , enabling them to land in any weather.
does the Soviet Space Shuttle have any distingusing features
in what way is it different form its American counter part
The Soviet Shuttle will differ in several respect. Each country
proceeding along a course of its own. The American Space Shuttles
are intergral parts of the whole system, they can not be divided
into a booster rocket and a space craft. The American Shuttle
is equipped with engine which propel it into orbit using fuel
from an attached fuel tank. We are developing the booster rocket
and the space craft separately. This is dictated by our long term
plans. We need a powerful booster rocket capable of lifting
payloads of up to 100 tons to build orbital stations of a new
generation. To launch sophisticated space structures for studying
the Moon an exploring Mars. For this purpose the Soviet Union
has built the main booster rocket called ENERGIA - (energy) -
which is also capable of putting space shuttles in orbit.
but probably the Soviet and American Space Shuttle do have something
in common, have not they ?
In space everyone faces similar task and they dictate certain
requirements in terms of the shape, mass, and design of components.
A Soviet System will be in just about the same class as the
American one. Just as aircraft or motor vehicle all look very much
alike Space Craft too have many common features . The Soviet
Space Shuttle will carry roughly the same payload as the American
Shuttle - which has a maximum payload of 29 1/2 tons.
The American Shuttles carries crews of up to seven Astronauts , the
Soviet Shuttle will be able to take aboard as many researchers
and more if need be.
The Soviet Union has for some years now been using a system of
disposable spacecraft to deliver cosmonauts and cargo to the
orbital station. this system has proved reliable . Will the
the new system be compatible with it?
Yes, certainly, all the space system will be related - including
the MIR orbital station and its add on modules. All the sophisticated
space technology being developed now - including reusable ones -
will be able to rondavoue and dock with them. The Soviet Space
Shuttle is undougthly a step forward in space technology. It is
going to expand our capabilities in space research and give us a
greater choice of faculties for fruitful space exploration.
that was an interviews with the head of Soviet Cosmonauts Training Centre
Lademir Shittoller.(?sp)
|
| 412.10 | Now Maned Maiden Flight | SASE::BIRO | | Mon May 09 1988 09:17 | 29 |
| SHATALOV -- SOVIET RE-USABLE SHPCESHIP
7/5 TASS
Moscow May 7 Tass had an article about the Soveit Space
Shuttle,
the big news was
' the Soviet re-usable spaceship will probably be carring two
person on its maiden flight, ..... Shatalov said...'
This is a change from the previously articles saying it would
be unmaned...
based on my monitoring of the Soviet Space Suport Ships
it now looks like from mid June to the end June a launch window
is possible,
I think this because the Ship at Sable Island was refuled
early, it has a range of 130 days but was refuled in about
30 days out to sea, unless somehting went wrong this would
be an indication that the sea duty of the Kosmonavt Yuri Gagarina
has been extended. Putting all the planed man and mars space filight
together gives a open ( where open = not much activity ) window
from min jun to the end of june.
john
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| 412.11 | May 18 launch may not be Soviet shuttle | SASE::BIRO | | Mon May 16 1988 12:32 | 14 |
| The launch ? or whatever is going to happen on the 18th of May
does not look like a launch of the Soviet Space Shuttle.
this AM press conference to about 90 people did not indicate
what was going on, the Soviets have said they would announce
ahead of time the launch of the Shuttle
it could be a show and tell or a jet eng fly by of the Soviet
Shuttle or more likly a launch of a satellite for another
country....
jb
|
| 412.12 | CHPION | SASE::BIRO | | Tue May 17 1988 08:29 | 10 |
| There are about 90 newsperson in Moscow today, tomorrow
am they will be flown to the launch site to see whatever
is about to happen. Yesterday they visted a training area.
One interesting point was learned about the Soviet Space
Shutle, It does not have eng. it is a Glider just like the
American Shuttle.
jb
|
| 412.13 | The mystery revealed | DECWIN::FISHER | Burns Fisher 381-1466, ZKO3-4/W23 | Wed May 18 1988 17:36 | 8 |
| CNN had a leadoff article on the Soviet show, although it was mixed
in with a piece about a possible rocket-fuel plant explosion.
It was apparently a show-and-tell at Baiknour highlighted by the
launch of a "Soyuz" (SL-4 to us) rocket with a "agricultural
topographical" satellite on it.
Burns
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| 412.14 | CBS at Soviet Center | SHAOLN::DENSMORE | Legion of Decency, Retired | Thu May 19 1988 08:01 | 10 |
| CBS interviewed a Russian Cosmonaut who said that the Soviet shuttle
is very much like the American version. He noted that the laws
of aerodynamics are the same on both continents.
They also showed satellite photos of a very long runway at the Soviet
space center. It has been used for low altitude tests of the Shuttle.
Can't wait for the unveiling.
Mike
|
| 412.15 | | STAR::HUGHES | | Mon May 23 1988 18:36 | 15 |
| From AW&ST...
The Soviet shuttle is scheduled to launch, with a two man crew,
in August.
Other launches planned soon...
- Mar/Phobos launches July 7 and 12 (Proton launch vehicle)
- Soyuz short term visit to Mir June 7 (Soviet/Bulgarian crew)
- another Soyuz to Mir in August (Soviet/Afghan crew)
These were announced at the press conferences preceeding the launch
of Cosmos 1944 last week.
gary
|
| 412.16 | To crew or not to crew, that is the question | MTWAIN::KLAES | Know Future | Tue May 31 1988 10:31 | 63 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space
Path: decwrl!ucbvax!LL-VLSI.ARPA!glenn
Subject: More Soviet Shuttle news
Posted: 25 May 88 20:16:58 GMT
Organization: The Internet
The latest information on the Soviet Shuttle seems to be raising
the confusion level as to whether it is going to be manned or not.
Alexander Dunayev, chairman of Glavcosmos, stated that first flight
would be unmanned, consisting of 2 orbits and an automated landing
during a interview in Spaceflight magazine. Also it would be several
years before it few manned. In an interview with CBS Col. Vladimir
Dzhanibekov, the most senior Soviet cosmonaut (5 missions) stated
that the first few shuttle flights will be unmanned. The next night
on Radio Moscow the statement was made by first mission would
"probably" have a two person crew. Aviation Week of May 23 then
reported that Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shatalov, head of the Star City
cosmonaut training facility, stated "When the Americans tested their
shuttle, two men took off. I believe that this experience is
reasonable and can be used in our country". Mission time is
uncertain, with statements from Radio Moscow saying a few weeks ago
that flights will be done in June, while AWST is stating that August
will be the flight time. It appears now from several sources that
the actual flight vehicle does not have jet engines for landing.
These are only on the atmosphere test vehicle, which has had between
20 and 50 test landings (depending on which source you hear -
respectively AWST and Dzhanibekov).
The rumour that their Shuttle was going to fly on May 18
probably came from someone seeing that there was going to be a major
tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the Western press on that date,
and assuming that it was the promised news coverage of the shuttle
mission. Actually it may a dry run of by their publicity people to
see what problems would occur on the shuttle launch date handling the
Western media people. Also it was good publicity just before the
summit meeting.
In one shuttle and space station related mission it was pointed
out in the May Spaceflight issue that the Luch communication satellite
launch of Cosmos 1897 in Nov. '87 placed the comsat at 85 degrees
West, just over South America where it cannot be directly seen by the
USSR. The Luchs are the Soviet equivalents of the Tracking and Data
Relay Satellites, and are designed certainly for Mir communications
(which they have been tested with) and probably for their Shuttle.
This position is ideal for communications just prior to the reentry
path for a Baikonur Cosmodrome landing (where their big runway is).
Data from the Luch can be sent via Cuba to another comsat, or to the
Luch over the USSR, and down to the control center.
All of this confirms the reports that there is a battle between
the robot orientated Institute for Automated Studies (which works on
the control systems and built the successful Progress robot cargo
craft) and the cosmonaut corps which argues humans handle tasks like
landing etc. better. It is the manned verse unmanned debates, but it
is both public and proceeding just months before the missions. The
cosmonauts feel they are ready (they have trained for a flight for
years), while the robot scientists do not want to risk them. Who knows
which side will win. I just hope the United States' shuttle will begin
flying again soon so that the West has some manned missions this year.
Glenn Chapman
MIT Lincoln Lab.
|
| 412.17 | Cosmonaut who was to fly first shuttle dies | MTWAIN::KLAES | Know Future | Wed Aug 10 1988 10:28 | 11 |
| VNS MAIN NEWS: [Richard De Morgan, Chief Editor, VNS]
============== [Basingstoke, England ]
International News
------------------
Soviet cosmonaut Anatoly Levchenko, aged 47, died. He was scheduled
to fly in the first Soviet space shuttle mission.
<><><><><><><> VNS Edition : 1629 Wednesday 10-Aug-1988 <><><><><><><>
|
| 412.18 | Cosmonaut Death | PARITY::BIRO | | Wed Aug 10 1988 14:19 | 20 |
| TASS 8 Aug had the following article
SOVIET COSMONAUT ANTATOLY LEVCHENKO died on the 6th of Aug
after a Grave Illness. He was part of the expedition on board the
Soyuz TM-4 spacecraft to the MIR complex in Dec 1987.
He was a test pilot, a pilot Cosmonaut, a member of the CPSU since
1965.
An obiturary signed bye the leaders of the CPSU and the
Soviet State said that Levchenko displayed Personal Courage,
broad outlook and professionalism.
There was no indication as to the nature of is grave illness.
|
| 412.19 | More | PARITY::BIRO | | Thu Aug 11 1988 07:53 | 4 |
| More information about the death of Levchenko, he died
of a brain turmor not related to any space activity.
He was part of the team for the Russian Space Shuttle.
|
| 412.20 | Great maybe Shuttle Race | AMUCK::BIRO | | Tue Sep 20 1988 09:43 | 15 |
| TASS: URGENT --- SPACE -- SOVIET SHUTTLE MIGHT BE LAUNCH THIS YEAR
sounds like a good political speech, do we hace a Shuttle race
Alexander Dunayev, chief of the glavvkosmos special adminstration of
the Soviet Uniton tolld the Soveit and Foreign news man ( 16 Sep )
that the USSR would not allow the launch unless all ground test were
conducted.
So it sounds like yes, no, maybe
film at 11
john
|
| 412.21 | T-? | PARITY::BIRO | | Thu Oct 20 1988 13:37 | 16 |
|
It looks like the Shuttle will be launch soon, however no offical
date has been given but I would expect it to happen before
the 21st of Nov when the Guest cosmonauts are launch.
The sooner the better so there is no conflict between the
two missions.
For short wave monitors try
121-122 MHZ unlikly as this is for man space flight
142-144 MHZ unlikly as this is for man space flight
165-167 MHz likly as wide band TLM > 200 KHz wide
240-260 MHz tlm ??
922-925 MHz cw carrier
jb
|