Annotation: The pyrobolts, or explosive bolts, belong to the pyrotechnical devices with monolithic case consisting o f the cap, as a rule with hexagonal surface, and of cylindrical part with thread. The pyrobolts are separated into parts using the pyrotechnical charge placed inside the case. Owing to the simple design, reliability and short action time, the pyrobolts have found wide application in aerospace engineering for separation of assemblies and bays, in particular, stages, head modules, launching boosters, etc. So, for example, about 400 pyrobolts are used in the Proton launch vehicle. The designs of pyrobolts are markedly different. By method of explosive substance action on case structural elements, the pyrobolts are divided into two types: the pyrobolts using the shock wave formed at detonation of brisant explosive substance for case wall destruction and the pyrobolts using the pressure of gases arising at pyrotechnical charge blasting. By method of separation into parts, they are divided into fragmenting pyrobolts with ridge-cut, with piston, and shear pyrobolts. The paper deals with the design of various types of pyrobolts, their disadvantages are considered. The Yuzhnoye SDO-developed pyrobolt of shear type with segments is presented that uses radial shear forces of segments located in the hole of cylindrical part to separate the case parts. The above segments a re actuated using a rod with sealing rings and a piston connected to the rod through a rubber gasket; the piston moves under pressure of gases formed during pyro cartridge action. The following calculations are presen ted: strength analyses with determination of case load-carrying capacity; power analyses with justification of pyro cartridge selection for pyrobolt actuation. In the developed pyrobolt of shear type with segments, the case parts are separated without considerable shock loads and without high-temperature gases and fragments release into environment, ensuring reliable separation of bays and assemblies without damaging sensitive equipment.

Annotation: The paper deals with the advantages and peculiarities of operation of a device for soft separation of spacecraft from launch vehicle.

Annotation: The paper presents the experiment-calculated data on hydraulic parameters of ring intake device in different operation modes. The method of their calculation is proposed taking into account limit deviations of influencing factors. Satisfactory convergence of calculated and experiment data is shown.

Annotation: The paper presents a complex of analytical calculation measures that allow increasing tanks useful volume and ensure engines’ additional operational lifetime by the example of a launch vehicle, one of Yuzhnoye SDO developments. The calculated-experimental confirmation is set forth of the operability of pneumohydraulic supply system in the changed conditions that ensure considerable increase of launch vehicle power and mass characteristics.

Annotation: The analysis of medium- and high-resolution satellite images is made for the purpose of evaluating the impact of 2011-2015 drought on large freshwater basins of California. The considerable coast line shifts of Oroville and Folsom lakes were revealed.

Annotation: Long-term experience in development, development testing and use of generating systems of fuel tanks pressurization for rockets powered by nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine is summarized. Replacement of gas bottle pressurization systems with generating ones on such launch vehicles as 15A14, 15A15, 11K68 (8K67), 15A18M substantially simplified operation, reduced the pneumohydraulic feed system mass at least twice and its cost – by five times. Typical stages of development and introduction of the pressurization generating systems are shown: development of generators, their development testing, study of the composition and parameters of gas. The important steps were the development of methodology for pressurization system parameters calculation, which enabled achievement of the substantial improvements of their characteristics, appearance of the high-performance hightemperature (up to ~ 1000o C) unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine tank pressurization system, study of the degree of impact of each of the pressurization system parameters on the tank pressure. Accounting of the correlation between the flow rate and the generator gas temperature improved the output performance, as well as simplified and reduced the amount of development testing of the pressurization system. Important role of the gas sprayer design in pressurization system parametric configuration is described, and the advanced versions are shown taking into account g-loads, changes in temperature, pressure and propellant level inside the tank. Significant phase in the development of the generating pressurization system was the effective use of the high-temperature pressurization of the fuel tank with submerged propulsion system. Besides for the first time the effect of mechanical temperature destratification of the propellant in the tanks was observed, which occurs during the propulsion systems shutdown. Due to this effect, the Dnepr LV payload capability enhanced. Successful engineering solutions in the design of the pressurization system were defended by ~80 copyright certificates and patents of invention, ~40 of which were successfully implemented.

Annotation: The main task of the radiotransparent radome design is to develop a structure that reliably protects the aircraft components, sensitive instrumentation of the guidance system from incoming air flow and heating in all phases of operation, meeting all the requirements of minimum weight, allowable temperature under the radome, strength, centre of mass and radio characteristics. Development of the radome solves the complex task of coupling and optimization of the geometric aspects of design with physical-mechanical, radio and thermal properties of materials. The article dwells on the aspects of development of the radiotransparent radomes depending on the aircraft flight speed; basic requirements for the selection of outside perimeter configuration; structural materials, providing the required radio properties in combination with minimum mass and necessary strength, acceptable temperature inside the fairing. Yuzhnoye-developed radome for the up to 5 M aircraft was considered, consisting of ogive shell made of АФ-10ПО fiberglass, heat-resistant tip and structural ring made of aluminum alloy. Methods of thermal and strength analyses of the shell are considered, results of calculations confirming the fitness for work of the structure are presented. Options of configuration with ceramic shells and methods of their coupling with rings are presented for the aircraft that reaches up to 5 M speed. Basic principles of radiotransparent radomes development and aspects of ceramic shells coupling with structural rings are considered, as well as the results of strength analyses and thermal calculations that ensure the performance of the structure and equipment in the area under the radome.

Annotation: The solid rocket motors thrust is measured according to the developed measurement procedure; fulfilment of its requirements guarantees obtaining the results with required accuracy parameters. Compliance of this procedure with the measurement accuracy requirements is confirmed by way of its validation that can be performed according to different algorithms. The proposed article deals with two validation algorithms of measurement procedure for solid rocket motor thrust up to 30 tf – end-to-end and link-by-link validation methods. The composition of measurement channel, the experimental works performed at each validation algorithm are described, the calculation formulas to evaluate the limits of absolute measurement error and the obtained numerical values of the latter are presented. The comparative analysis of the results of validation procedure of solid rocket motor thrust measurement procedure obtained during metrological investigations of thrust measurement channel by end-to-end and link-by-link validation methods shows that to ensure the required measurement accuracy, the algorithms of end-to-end method is preferable, at which the lower values of reduced error can be obtained as compared with the algorithm of link-by-link validation.

Annotation: One of the systems in the integrated launch vehicle responsible for prelaunch processing and launch is a ground thermal conditioning system, which supplies the low-pressure air into the launch vehicle’s “dry” compartments. Thermal conditioning system is mated with the launch vehicle, using the mating interfaces, proper functioning of which enhances reliability of the ground support equipment, the launch vehicle and the entire space launch system. The article describes key requirements to the interfaces of the thermal conditioning system and the drawbacks of the existing designs. The article proposes a new design concept of the interface that connects the pipeline of the ground thermal conditioning system to the orifice of the launch vehicle using the corrugated rubber hose composed of three basic parts, attached with the help of a metal lock/release assembly. The proposed solution provides reliable leaktightness, ease of operation, providing multiple connections to the launch vehicle, including at various angles, and automatic disconnection by rocket motion or manual removal in case of launch abort. Using rubber as a high-elasticity structural material to manufacture the hoses, enabled minimization of efforts required to disconnect the interface from the launch vehicle. In its high-elasticity state, rubber can absorb and dissipate mechanical energy within a wide range of temperatures, which prevents transmission of engine vibrations to the ground thermal conditioning system. The article presents key properties of rubber used as a structural material and its peculiarities to be considered during design of similar products. Unlike metal showing two types of deformation (elastic and plastic), rubber can exhibit three types of deformation (elastic, superelastic and plastic). In the process of interface design, we took into account two types of deformations (elastic and superelastic ones). Experimental studies of the interface showed its full compliance with technical specification.