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Sergei Korolyov

Sergei Pavlovych Korolyov (1907–1966) — chief designer of the Soviet space program, creator of the first artificial Earth satellite (PS-1, 1957) and the R-7 rocket, and an ideologue of the exploration of the Solar System.

Overview

Sergei Korolyov was the chief designer who led the Soviet space program from the launch of the first satellite to the start of the Moon race. His premature death in 1966 became one of the key factors behind the USSR's failure to win the race to be first on the Moon. Korolyov was more of a strategist and organizer than an engineer — according to critics (Oleksandr Levenko of the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau), he repeated and improved upon German designs, unlike Wernher von Braun, who had over a hundred German engineers on his team.

Key Details / Subtopics

Space Exploration Plan (1962)

Korolyov wrote a multi-stage plan for space exploration: 1. Crewed flyby of the Moon with 2–3 cosmonauts. 2. Landing on the Moon, surface exploration, and return. 3. Expedition to the lunar surface to select a site for a research base. 4. Crewed flyby of Mars and Venus. 5. Expeditions to the surface of Mars and Venus. 6. Creation of research bases on Mars and transport links. 7. Launches to Jupiter, Saturn, and other planets.

The Moon as a Non-Strategic Goal

Unlike the American "Apollo" program, Korolyov did not consider the Moon the main goal — he was more drawn to Mars. The Moon was merely one step in the planetary program.

"There is no dust on the Moon. Korolyov"

When astronomers debated the thickness of the lunar dust (some even assumed a kilometer-thick layer), Korolyov wrote an order: "There is no dust on the Moon. Korolyov." He turned out to be right.

Opponents and Competitors

  • Volodymyr Chelomey — a graduate of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, author of an alternative lunar rocket project (direct landing without docking, following the Kondratyuk scheme).
  • Mykhailo Yangel — a Siberian (his grandfather was deported from the Chernihiv region), chief designer of the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau (Dnipro), the R-56 rocket.
  • Valentyn Hlushko — a native of Odesa, a genius of liquid-fuel rocket engines.
  • Georgy Babakin — chief designer of uncrewed interplanetary spacecraft, an advocate of automated stations.

The N-1 Rocket

Korolyov chose a design solution with 42 combustion chambers operating simultaneously. The rocket exploded four times. Oleksandr Levenko criticized Korolyov's decision as incorrect — unlike the German engineers, who created a single powerful engine.

The "Zond" Program

In 1968, the crew of Valery Bykovsky and Mykola Rukavishnikov was to fly on "Zond-7" for a flyby of the Moon, but the leadership cancelled the flight due to the risk after the death of Vladimir Komarov.

Death

He died in 1966 on the operating table, which became the most significant factor in the subsequent failure of the USSR in the Moon race.