“Do not bring Baikonur branch seksual” – BBC

his impressions from the first visit Baikonur on the 60th anniversary of the launch site is divided into famous astrophysicist, scientist, discovered a hydrogen atmosphere of Venus, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Vladimir Kurt.

Vladimir Kurt

Deputy Head of the Astro Space Center

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome I first came in 1961 at the start of the apparatus “Venera-2″. Prior to that, many times, it is difficult to even count how many times I’ve been on our first Kapustin Yar missile on the Volga.

This is where we experienced our “artificial sodium comet,” whose purpose was to visualize the machine flying to the moon.

Thanks to the acquaintance with himself, Sergei Korolev (and he personally followed the progress of work on the sodium comet), we were able to negotiate with OKB-1 (now Rocket and Space Corporation “Energia”), the installation of our devices on the first domestic vehicles planned for launch to Venus and Mars. Prior to that, we are actively engaged in the study of the earth’s atmosphere at very large distances, up to 100 thousand. Km. We investigated density, chemical composition and temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth. That’s what we wanted to do for the upper layers of the atmosphere of Venus and Mars.

Then the king and leader of these works GU Maximov wanted to develop three types of devices: span with a small distance from the surface of these planets, satellites of Mars and Venus, and the most difficult – planting. For the final preparation of these instruments, and I was sent to the landfill Baikonur. Our instruments for the study of the upper atmospheres of Venus and Mars were the photometers and spectrometers in the ultraviolet range. The aim of research was to determine the distribution of the density and temperature of hydrogen, oxygen and helium in the atmosphere of Venus.

At Baikonur we always flew overhead planes OKB-1: first – the IL-2 (“Douglas”), and then IL-18. Several times I have flown on a private jet Queen.

I remember well how he drove our employee of SAI Peter Shcheglov to Tashkent, where his father, VP Goldfinches, was the director of the Tashkent Astronomical Observatory. We placed first in a hotel in Leninsk, and after completing passes to move to the area, where and launches of our great R-7 rocket. It was on her, and now produces all manned launches. Of course, since then it has undergone great changes. The control system has been fully translated, “a figure”, but there were four “marginalia” non-toxic fuel (oxygen-kerosene), in contrast to the highly poisonous «Proton».

Most of all I remember the first start for me ” Seven “. P-7 is our first intercontinental ballistic missile. It then launches all satellites, vehicles to the Moon, Mars and Venus. By the way, just to the Moon, Mars and Venus, we launched a little more than 100 machines!

In Day start all evacuated to a diesel train on the 10 km, but still it was an unforgettable experience. For the authorities there were bleachers with binoculars, snacks and drinks. For example, I remember, were taken to the French President Charles de Gaulle.

I remember one day we present Academician Nikolai Kardashev left the hotel two hours before the evacuation, and hid in ditch near the start.

We have even breathed hot air from the launch of the torch. The second impression was the officers who carried out the launch of their everyday life and work in the wild desert climate.

My job is to check the installation of our devices on the machine, and then conduct comprehensive independent tests. After that, in the case of the successful launch and exit into orbit flight to the Moon, Mars or Venus, we flew to Yevpatoria, where the antennas of the Deep Space Communication and manage devices and receive telemetry information.

With regard to the secrecy , took us to a subscription to disclose information, instructed on how to behave, what you can and can not speak their mother tongue. I remember when we were asked not to bring any gifts, which could determine where we were.

«Do not bring Baikonur branch seksual” – told us the employee of a secret department.

It was hard Prohibition. Alcohol, vodka and wine were taken and poured into a ditch at a checkpoint. It was impossible to carry cameras and other equipment. But remember one fellow LPI I. Tindo brought a live lizard and frightened them all.

Over the years, Baikonur has undergone substantial changes. We build modern hotels. If before we went to the “train-bath”, now appeared in every room shower, the water began to arrive at the hotel all day and night. The general’s dining room, where I became a professor and doctor of science, received a pass, served nice and polite waiters. I remember the ice seltzer or mineral water in the 40-degree heat.

began to fly regularly airplanes Il-18 and Tu-104. Tickets are on sale, of course, with the presentation of documents and permits for the landfill.

summer, remember from Vnukovo, with special parking. When we began to actively cooperate with the astronomers and physicists from the socialist countries and the French, they also began to carry the cosmodrome. They lived in different hotels, they were taken at the start (and us with them, of course) on comfortable buses.

Well, the end of the 70s I was not there. After the collapse of the country and the collapse of the steel industry testing ground lease from Kazakhstan. Initially, there was felt complete collapse. Closed nurseries, kindergartens, schools, music schools, etc. Now slowly recovering all. Our hope – a new landfill near the eastern city of Khabarovsk. I hope everything will be fine: machinery and household employees, military and us traveling. Good luck to them!