Time to Take the Space Program to the Next Level: Russia’s Newest Cosmodrome is Preparing 2 Launches
New launches are being prepared at the Vostochny cosmodrome. 2 more launches are planned in the second half of the year.
Svetlana Degtyareva will tell us about the work being done at Russia's newest cosmodrome.
Anyone who worked in Amur in -30C knows that the wind makes it -40. Even 10 minutes outside is a real test. However, when designing Vostochny, all extreme environmental conditions were taken into account. Because work depends on the comfort of the environment where it's done.
Konstantin Nasulenko, Technical Complex Director: "The difference of this cosmodrome from other cosmodromes in Russia, including Baikonur, is that everything is under one roof, and you go about without outer layers. The filling station is here, as an addition to the technical complex. There is no need to go somewhere to transport fuel, and to organize some supporting activities".
Convenience is an attribute of the launch complex also. A unique for Russia mobile service tower protects personnel from the wind, and in preparation for a launch in difficult climatic conditions allows to comfortably carry out all the necessary operations for the rocket. Access to all technological equipment at the launch complex is also organized in the most thoughtful way.
Nikolay Dvoretsky, Launch Complex Director: "It simplifies the building's operation, also, if you look at the facilities, they are of an open type, so there are less energy costs: during the day sunlight is enough for maintenance and operation. It's more comfortable to work in such conditions".
The new cosmodrome is equipped with the most up-to-date equipment, it is here that for the first time an automated equipment control system is used. It controls absolutely all tasks, from fueling the rocket to launching it. Where a human eye could have missed an error, a machine will work perfectly. And surveillance cameras watch 24 hours a day everything that happens at the cosmodrome.
All Vostochny cosmodrome sites have a modern security protection system. And all buildings and facilities are equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system. Only here, in the assembly and testing building are more than 20 sensors, and as soon as 3 of them detect a fire, an extinguishing process is immediately triggered.
Each Vostochny cosmodrome site has its own water intake structure and a boiler room. So if a unit fails no one will freeze. At the same time, all heat sources have a reserve. You can work even if it's -58. The total reserve of electric power is almost a 100 megawatts. This will be enough for the second stage of the cosmodrome.
Svetlana Degtyareva, Vasily Artimchuk. From Blagoveshchensk — Vesti.