space autonomous navigation system of soviet project for manned fly by moon

Paper number

IAC-08.E4.3.1

Author

Prof. Vyacheslav V. Ivashkin, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Prof. Timur M. Eneev, Russian Academy of Sciences - KIAM RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Victor A. Sharov, S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, Russia

Coauthor

Mr. Jury V. Bagdasaryan, Scientific-Technical Association "Geofizika-Cosmos", Russia

Year

2008

Abstract

The space navigation onboard system “Alpha” that was developed in the years 1966-1968 by the Institute of Applied Mathematics of USSR Academy of Sciences (now – Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics) and by the Central Design Bureau for Experimental Machine-building (now – Korolev Rocket-Space Corporation “Energia”) for the USSR Project “L-1” of the manned fly by Moon [1, 2] is described in the Paper. The system had to do the flight more safe. To obtain the onboard measuring information, there was used a sextant that allowed manual receiving by the cosmonauts the optical measurements of the angular elevations of the known stars above the horizons of Earth and Moon. There are presented the principal properties of the ballistic navigation algorithm that was giving the possibility to the cosmonauts to determine the spacecraft orbit and correction velocity impulses for all the parts of the flight to ensure the spacecraft safe entrance into the Earth atmosphere. The problems that were connected with realization of the algorithm at the onboard computer, which existed that time, are shown. This autonomous navigation system was successfully tested by the development engineers and cosmonauts (Makarov O.G., Leonov A.A., Rukavishnikov N.N., Bykovsky V.F., Sevast’yanov V.I., Popovich P.R.) for fly-bys the Moon with the automatic version of spacecraft (the spacecrafts “Zond 5- Zond 8”) from 1968 till 1970. These tests showed that this onboard navigation system satisfied to all the time and accuracy conditions in the orbit and correction determination. These characteristics of the autonomous navigation system were practically not worse than ones for the ground navigation system. Other participants of the team in creation of the system are shown. Main Designer of the USSR Rocket-Space Techniques Prof. Korolev S.P., President of the USSR Academy of Sciences Prof. Keldysh M.V. as well as Prof. Chertok B.E., Prof. Raushenbakh B.V. and Prof. Okhotsimsky D.E. paid great attention and helped in creation of this system that time. 
The study is supported by Russian Foundation of Basic Studies (Grant 06-01-00531) and by Grant for Scientific School NSc-2448.2006.1. 
References
1.	V.V. Ivashkin. On the History of Space Navigation Development. // AAS History Series, Volume 22. IAA History Symposia (Graz, Austria, 1993), Volume 14. 1998. Pp. 271-278.
2.	B.E. Chertok. Rockets and Men. Lunar Hurry. // Moscow: “Masinostroenie”, 1999. Chapter I, pp. 25-26.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E4.3.1.pdf

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