FIRST STEPS TOWARD SPACE - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

10
Developments in Rocket Engineering Achieved by the Gas
Dynamics Laboratory in Leningrad
The first rocket research and development body
in the Soviet Union began its activities in Moscow
in March 1921.
Its foundation was proposed by Nikolay Ivanovich
Tikhomirov (1860-1930), a chemical engineer,
the aim being to develop his invention in the field
of self-propelled (rocket) mortars. This organization
was originally named the Laboratory for Development
of Engineer Tikhomirov's Invention. N.I.
Tikhomirov's assistant and test superviser was
Vladimir Andreyevich Artem'yev (1885-1962), who
was appointed to the Laboratory in May 1921.
The key problem encountered by the organizers
of the Laboratory in the development of rocket
mortars was the problem of propellant powder.
The joint effort of the Laboratory and specialists
from the Artillery Academy resulted in the development
of granular smokeless powder with a thick
web (slow-burning), based on a non-volatile trotylpyroxiline
solvent.
Along with research in powders, the structural
design of missiles was developed and improved,
thus modifying the original version of N.I. Tikhomirov's
rocket mortar. For example, ground-firing of
powder rockets was begun in 1924 near Leningrad.
In 1928, after successful development of engines
burning smokeless powder, significant advances
were made by powder rockets. However, a great
deal of experimental work on powders had to be
done in Leningrad proper. This caused unnecessary
inconveniences and difficulties. Consequently in
1927, the entire Laboratory was transferred to
Leningrad, where it acquired its final name, the
Gas Dynamics Laboratory (GDL).
During 1928 and 1933, various caliber rockets
burning granular smokeless powder were developed
I. I. KULAGIN, Soviet Unioi
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at the GDL, and underwent official tests. These
rockets were intended for firing from ground and
aircraft. They were used during combat operations
on the Khalkhin-Gol River and, in a somewhat
modified form known as the "Katyusha," they were
extensively employed in the Great Patriotic War of
1941-45.
The principal authors of all these developments
were staff members of the GDL: N.I. Tikhomirov,
V.A. Artem'yev, B.S. Petropavlovskiy, G.E. Langemak,
and I.T. Kleymenov.
In 1927, the GDL began to develop rocketassisted
takeoff for aircraft, the aim being to shorten
the takeoff. Successfully completed during and after
1932-1933 were tests of rocket-assisted takeoff units
for light and heavy aircraft (types 1-4, TB-1, TB-3,
and others).
Beginning with 1929, the GDL broadened its
work program. In April 1929, organizational work
was begun to establish a GDL subdivision (later
becoming Department II of GDL) for developing
electrical and liquid-propellant rocket engines. Experimental
work in this area started on 15 May
1929.
Department II of the GDL was the first statesponsored
body in the USSR charged with practical
implementation of the ideas conceived by K.E.
Tsiolkovskiy, the founder of contemporary cosmonautics
and rocket engineering.
Before Department II of the GDL inaugurated
its activities, there were in the Soviet Union public
bodies that engaged in investigation and popularization
of the problems of rocket engineering and
interplanetary travel. Thus, in May 1924 the Interplanetary
Travel Study Group at the Military-
Research Society at the N.E. Zhukovskiy Air Force