Satellites in space

The science-in space programme produces much information about our universe and provides important knowledge needed for our manned space flights. The work can be divided into three general areas.

The first concerns the sun itself. Before the coming of the satellite, man could study the sun only through a translucent covering, because of the earth’s atmosphere. Our present objectives with the satellites are to observe sunspots and solar flares which seem to be the cause of many phenomena experienced on earth: weather generation, for example.

The second is interplanetary space. In this area it is possible to observe the sun’s electromagnetic radiation and solar activities unaffected by the earth’s magnetic field.

The third region under investigation is the near-region called the “magnetosphere”. Here the magnetic field of the earth exerts a major influence.

Modern space technology has made it possible to build orbiting scientific observatories, “laboratories”, with which to conduct extended observation at and beyond the earth’s atmosphere. The setting up of orbital stations is an important component of space programme and a new trend in cosmonautics. Each station can replace an adequately large number of automatic sputniks used for meteorological observations, geological prospecting, communications, astronomy, geophysical experimenting and the study of interplanetary space.

Out of this scientific research we are gaining new knowledge about the universe and its laws: about the Earth and its atmosphere; the sun and its influence on the Earth and finally, knowledge about physical life, its origin and fundamental nature. In the future these stations will also be used to assemble large interplanetary craft before they fly far out into space.

To date, our scientists and engineers have been responsible for a number of successfully launched scientific satellites which carried out a lot of scientific experiments.

We shall mention here one of them. About two decades – a very short period of time historically – have only passed since the first manned space flight, but what tremendous successes have already been achieved! In 1980 the world witnessed the longest ever, unprecedented manned 185-days space flight aboard the Salyut 6 – Soyuz orbital complex. Here space heroes Leonid Popov and Valery Ryumin showed their courage in performing the programme of scientific and technological research and experiments.

According to the “Intercosmos” programme, the cosmonauts of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, GDR, Hungary, Vietnam, Cuba, Mongolia and Romania worked successfully and carried out numerous important experiments. This is a most striking illustration of fruitful cooperation in mastering space for peaceful purposes.

Lunar research conducted by automatic apparatuses furnished important data on the Moon.

On the earth, astronomers cannot get clear pictures of stars, and not in all the bands of the spectrum because of the atmosphere. Only the rays of the visible light, part of the infrared rays and waves of the radio band reach us through the so-called windows of transparency in the atmosphere.

The range of the spectrum of the electromagnetic short wave radiations, less than 3,000 angstrom – the ultraviolet, the X-ray and the gamma radiation of celestial bodies which carries most valuable information – is absolutely inaccessible on Earth.

The recent achievements in lunar research demonstrate the high level attained by scientists and engineers and are the result of the major complex work performed by numerous groups of specialists over many years. Scientists successfully coped with their difficult programme.

The Soviet Union is methodically carrying out its multipurpose programme of studying and outer space. The Soviet scientists and designers who deal with the problems of cosmonautics and space rocketry are making a worthy contribution to the achievements of science and engineering.

COMMENTARY

science-in-space programme - виконання програми розвитку науки про космос

under investigation - досліджуваний

we are gaining new knowledge - ми здобуваємо нові зведення

our scientists and engineers have been responsible for - наші вчені й інженери забезпечили (успішний запуск)

our satellites have already paid off - наші супутники виправдали себе