Long Dong Jhon Silvers

50 years ago (96): Sputnik-7

engineering team that developed the Soviet Mars program (Object 1M) developed in parallel Venera series of probes (Object 1V). Both designs are very similar. The first two failed Mars travel to Mars in October 1960 as a result of two separate failures in the propulsion phase of flight. Therefore could not be verified the correctness of the structural design of the probes. Already in 1961, opening a launch window for Venus that allows, with minor modifications, send to the 1VA that planet. This is not a small challenge, because so far no Soviet interplanetary spacecraft has achieved Earth orbit (two failures in two attempts). Like the 1M, the 1VA is only instrumental cylindrical pressurized module. Both within and around its surface are several scientific instruments and sensors. The task force needs to carry an electrical production system (no battery could provide power for such a long trip), so the ship is equipped with two separate solar panels. Small in size, are mounted tangentially on the central body. On the opposite side has placed a dish of 2 meters in diameter, which maintains contact between the probe and the Earth that should not be deployed until the arrival at Venus. On the other hand, a pole extends to a length of 2.4 meters, which are mounted a fixed omnidirectional antenna. The first is used about Venus and the second during the trip. At the top of the vehicle is a hemisphere full of instruments. Its size compared to the later Venera, is small. Between what is on board include particle detectors, a magnetometer and navigation sensors. An integrated system is able to calculate the position of the ship in space and transmitting the result to the Earth. Despite the absence of a trajectory correction engine, yes there is a way of guiding the ship properly so that sunlight efficiently fed to the panels and to make contacts with our planet. The scientific team, in general, you can measure the presence and energy of cosmic rays, the intensity of magnetic fields to detect small micrometeorites, etc.. Finally, the spacecraft carries a coat of arms of the Soviet Union in the form of an aluminum sphere that resembles Earth. Inside it has hosted a medallion with a map of the Solar System and some historical accounts of the mission. The area in Earth is shaped to turn in a chamber built by small octagonal stainless steel elements, each with the coat of arms of the USSR drawn on its surface. The vessel has a height of 2 meters and its main cylindrical body is 1 meter in diameter. The total mass of the Venera amounts to 644 kg. Like last year, for the opportunity Martian probes have prepared two supposedly identical to its release. Two vehicles allow better calibrate and compare the results, increasing the level of reliability. The use of vector satelización 8K78 allow parking orbit of the probe and the exhaust stage. However, yet to be proven that the engines do this stage ignition in the harsh conditions in space. If all goes well, the spacecraft will head towards Venus in a simple fly route. Eventually, the takeoff is made (two days late), enabling the 8K78 put your load (the depth and stage Blok L) in the planned parking orbit. But then nothing else happens. After 60 minutes of "costing" orbital, a transformer of the power system of the stage Blok L fails and the timer, without electricity, can not send the activation signal of the engine. Still attached to its upper stage, the first Venera is stranded in orbit land. In the press release called Sputnik-7 (or even Tyazholiy Sputnik 4), recognized only a simple task of scientific research around the Earth. It was also announced its mass: 6,483 kg, which earned her the title of "Heavy Sputnik." NASA will own who, in September 1962, announce the true mission of Sputnik-7: fly to Venus. In low Earth orbit as the No. 1 1VA soon will burn in the dense layers of the atmosphere. Much earlier, Korolev and his OKB-1, you already know what happened, reviewed for the umpteenth time and prepare to launch the second probe to target first-generation Venus. ( Photo: NASA )
-COSPAR Release Number: 1961-Beta 1 SSC
-Number: 00071 Release
-time: 1:18:03 UTC
-Zona Release: Baikonur
NIIP-5 LC1-Name Payload: Tyazholiy Sputnik 4 (1VA No. 1) (Sputnik-7) (Venera)
-take-off mass: 644 kg.
-Responsible Organization: NII-88 (USSR)
-Launcher: 8K78 (Molniya) (L1-7)
-Initial Orbit: 212 by 318 km, inclination 65 degrees, 89.8 minutes period
-Reentry: February 26 1961.