Soviet/Russian space programs Q&A

• #140 by William Graham on 20 Dec, 2007 07:03
• Quote

  sammie - 19/12/2007  11:19 PM
  
  The 2M and 2SLB are not the same...the latter uses the same first two stages, but a third Block DM-SL

  
  2SLB is a 2-stage rocket. See http://www.sea-launch.com/land-launch/index.html
• #141 by Nicolas PILLET on 24 Dec, 2007 14:46
• I have a little off-topic question...
  
  Has someone read the book "The MIR Space Station: A Precusor to Space Colonization", by David M. Harland published in 1997 ?
  
  I have found it on Astrobooks.com, but it costs 70$ and I would be sure it worth it before paying !
  
  Thank you very much for your help !
• #142 by sammie on 24 Dec, 2007 16:22
• same author wrote "The story of space station MIR" from 2005 which is probably an updated version. (this is something Praxis publisher has done quite often with books, republish the updated content under a different name). So I suppose you're better off buying the new book.
  
  By the way, this 2005 version goes into quite a bit detail on the salyut stations, not bad, just don't expect the whole book to deal with MIR
• #143 by Nicolas PILLET on 24 Dec, 2007 18:54
• OK, I've just ordered the updated version !
  
  Thank you very much Sammie !
• #144 by DarthVader on 30 Dec, 2007 15:45

• Hello,
  
  I'm wondering if anyone could help me identify the purpose of that red cylinder which is affixed to the rear of the Soyuz strap-ons & core blocks (see attached image, blue circle). The black tube coming off the top of it is plugged on one of the interface plates which is located on the side of the 'engine section' of the block. That device is removed at some point once the rocket is erected on the launch pad (or so it seems).
  

  Thanks in advance.

  ---

  
• #145 by DarthVader on 01 Jan, 2008 15:37
• Anyone? Could it be a compressed air tank? a Gaseous Nitrogen tank?
• #146 by meiza on 01 Jan, 2008 16:20
• Maybe it's some conditioning equipment that's removed before launch.
• #147 by DarthVader on 01 Jan, 2008 16:49
• Yes, it's most definitely a 'remove before flight' item. But the thing is that it doesn't seems to be powered since the only visible cable coming out of it is plugged to one of the 'umbilical plates' of the strap-on.
• #148 by Jim on 01 Jan, 2008 18:17
• Quote

  DarthVader - 1/1/2008  12:49 PM
  
  Yes, it's most definitely a 'remove before flight' item. But the thing is that it doesn't seems to be powered since the only visible cable coming out of it is plugged to one of the 'umbilical plates' of the strap-on.

  
  desiccant containers?
• #149 by DarthVader on 01 Jan, 2008 19:27
• Quote

  Jim - 1/1/2008  11:17 AM
  
  

  Quote

  DarthVader - 1/1/2008  12:49 PM
  
  Yes, it's most definitely a 'remove before flight' item. But the thing is that it doesn't seems to be powered since the only visible cable coming out of it is plugged to one of the 'umbilical plates' of the strap-on.

  
  desiccant containers?

  
  Good suggestion Jim. But wouldn't you need some way of circulating the air on it in order to extract the humidity from it?
• #150 by Jim on 01 Jan, 2008 21:54
• Quote

  DarthVader - 1/1/2008  3:27 PM
  
  

  Quote

  Jim - 1/1/2008  11:17 AM
  
  

  Quote

  DarthVader - 1/1/2008  12:49 PM
  
  Yes, it's most definitely a 'remove before flight' item. But the thing is that it doesn't seems to be powered since the only visible cable coming out of it is plugged to one of the 'umbilical plates' of the strap-on.

  
  desiccant containers?

  
  Good suggestion Jim. But wouldn't you need some way of circulating the air on it in order to extract the humidity from it?

  
  I have seen them without a circulation system.  It is mostly for changes in atmospheric pressure (if the tank is not sealed)
• #151 by DarthVader on 02 Jan, 2008 13:17
• Thanks Jim.
• #152 by Nicolas PILLET on 05 Jan, 2008 20:24
• Somebody knows if this book is available for buying ?
  
  http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_127/127-2/index.html
  
  I think it should be fantastic to read it !
  
  Thank you very much !
• #153 by anik on 06 Jan, 2008 07:06
• Quote

  Nicolas PILLET - 6/1/2008  12:24 AM
  
  Somebody knows if this book is available for buying?

  
  This book has been issued in 4000 copies and intended only as gift for veterans and high officials...
• #154 by DarthVader on 09 Jan, 2008 19:56
• Howdy,
  
  It's me again with my Soyuz related question(s). This time, I'm wondering if someone could help me (yes, again) identify the purpose of a device visible in (at least) 4 locations on the Soyuz' boosters. In the attached image, I have marked the "device" with a pink arrow and added in an insert, a picture showing a similar area with a "remove before flight" cover.
  
  Thanks in advance for any tips/hints.
  
  Cheers,

  ---

  
• #155 by Jim on 09 Jan, 2008 21:08
• Quote

  DarthVader - 9/1/2008  3:56 PM
  
  Howdy,
  
  It's me again with my Soyuz related question(s). This time, I'm wondering if someone could help me (yes, again) identify the purpose of a device visible in (at least) 4 locations on the Soyuz' boosters. In the attached image, I have marked the "device" with a pink arrow and added in an insert, a picture showing a similar area with a "remove before flight" cover.
  
  Thanks in advance for any tips/hints.
  
  Cheers,

  
  Lift points for assembly in the MIK?
• #156 by DarthVader on 09 Jan, 2008 21:47
• hmm ... but then why will the cover be removed before flight then?
• #157 by Jim on 09 Jan, 2008 21:53
• Turbo pump exhaust?
• #158 by DarthVader on 09 Jan, 2008 22:04
• Quote

  Jim - 9/1/2008  2:53 PM
  
  Turbo pump exhaust?

  
  I'm afraid not, AFAIK the turbo-pump exhaust is routed by two pipes downward and exit in two exhaust ports located on the heat shield "in between the nozzles".
• #159 by DarthVader on 11 Jan, 2008 15:12
• "bump!"