Аннотация: Igor Kurchatov, Sergei Korolev, a priority of the East-Republican (Soviet) space program. A culturological note.
Igor Kurchatov, Sergei Korolev, a priority of the East-Republican (Soviet) space program. A culturological note.
In the book by Natalia Koroleva 'Sergei Korolev. Father' there are several mentions of Igor Kurchatov.
I especially remember the following words from her book: '... Designer M.V. Melnikov recalled how at the end of 1957 the management of OKB-1 was invited to a meeting on atomic rocket engines at the Institute of Atomic Energy [The Kurchatov Institute]. Igor Kurchatov met my father at the door of the building, led him into the hall, put him behind the pulpit and bowed deeply to him three times. And then he said: "Thank you, Sergei Pavlovich! For your glorifying of our Soviet Motherland!" But he [Igor Kurchatov] was a stern man, rarely praised anyone. The audience burst into applause. The father looked embarrassed and even confused. But then he [Sergei Korolev] came to his senses and said: "I serve our Motherland!" [Unofficial translation]
Probably, the attitude of Igor Kurchatov to Sergei Korolev and to space achievements can be defined as the ultimate degree of admiration.
What caused this attitude on the part of Igor Kurchatov, whose results of activity were unique and were arousing general admiration (including from side of Sergei Korolev)?
Perhaps the key to Igor Kurchatov's special attitude to Sergei Korolev is in the fact that for a significant period of time the U.S. atomic project was ahead of all other projects, and the Soviet atomic project followed it.
What is possible? What is impossible? Which line of scientific and technical movement is correct and basic? One way or another, using some information flows, Soviet scientists received data from the United States and could be guided by the achievements of the participants in the U.S. project.
As for the East-Republican (Soviet) cosmic project, - this project was by the will of circumstances since its creation - the establishment of the Nordhausen Institute [институт "Нордхаузен"] in 1946 (Bleicherode, Nordhausen); Lev Gaidukov was appointed the head of the institute, his deputy and chief engineer was was appointed Sergei Korolev, - this project was among the cosmic leaders. The East-Republican (Soviet) space project - before, during and some time after the launch of the world's first satellite in 1957 and the world's first manned space flight in 1961 - was ahead of all other projects; other projects were following him.
Knowing about the achievements of the East-Republican (Soviet) space project, projects participants in other countries were able to receive answers to the main, basic questions: 'What is possible? What is impossible? Which line of scientific and technical movement is correct and basic? "
Sergei Korolev had no one person towards whom Korolev could to direct the main, basic questions, and there were no other projects from where he could receive information of a most urgent, sharp, basic issues.
Igor Kurchatov understood the priority of the East-Republican (Soviet) cosmic project (as opposed to the Soviet atomic project, which followed the U.S. atomic project while a certain time).
Perhaps the world priority of Sergei Korolev, the results of his activities, and caused the great admiration of Igor Kurchatov.
September 9, 2021 07:56
Translation from Russian into English: September 9, 2021 10:42.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Игорь Курчатов, Сергей Королев, приоритет восточно-республиканской (советской) космической программы. Культурологическая заметка'.