FIFTH PART OF*A NEW SERIAL

“a flying

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HE construction of an arti-

ficial satellite of the earth,
machine revolving
round our planet like the
-™oon, is the fifst stage in con-
Quering the space of the uni-
verse,

An artificial satellie — a
Space station — will be built
and tested on the earth. Then
it will be dismantled and sent
to an orbit chosen beforehand,
lo be reassembled.

When the first three- or four-
Stage rocket settles in its orbit
it will be joined by a second, a
third, a fourth, etc. The rockets
will join to form one whole.

Specially adapted cabins and
fuel tanks will be used as living
Quarters, laboratories, work-
Shops, etc. All these compart-
Ments will be air-conditioned
and, to prevent air from escap-
ng, airtight.

In due time the space-station
will receive all the equipment
1 needs. The gas turbines,
Sauges, thermometers and
Sther instruments, and the
Surplus fuel and oxidiser in
the rockets forming the satel-
ite can also be used.

Artificial gravity can be
Created on the space-station to

This giant rocket, about 7

The cona

quis is the fifth of a series of extracts, appearing exclusively in the, Pacific Tribune travel, Tsiolkovsky
from a remarkable new Soviet book, Inter plane
Published in Moscow. An English edition of the book is to be published in Britain soon.

make people feel comfortable.

The proximity of the satel-
lite to the earth would cer-
tainly make communications
easier. However, if the satel-
lite were to move through the
dense layers of the earth’s at-
mosphere the air would im-
pede its motion and reduce its
speed. Eventually it wou!d fall
to earth.

It has, therefore, to be sta-
tioned beyond the dense lay-

ers of the earth’s atmosphere.

we

Modern meteorology has not
yet gathered sufficient data
to establish the natural laws
governoring atmospheric pro-
cesses, because (till the Soviet
satellite was launched—Editor )
the upper layers of the atmos-
phere can be observed for only
brief periods.

Following the present satel-
lite will come manned flying
observatories.

To facilitate observation of
the earth’s surface they should
be launched along the paths
passing over the earth’s poles.

In 24 hours the flying ob-
servatory could make 16 rev-
olutions around the earth and

vy)

feet

: long’ and with a range of 400-500 miles,
Was unveiled by the Russians during the Red Square parade on November 7,
“elebratione ‘he 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. Many other

y

tary Travel, by A. Sternfeld, recently

photograph its entire surface
in daylight.

Flying meteorological sta-
tions will take exact meas-
urements of the temperature,
pressure and density of the air,
etc., in the upper strata of
the atmosphere.

The study of solar radiations
will enable us to determine
periodically the consumption
of solar energy by our planet,
and make Correct. forecasts of
the weather and conditions for
radio-communication.

There will always be plenty
of solar energy on the artificial
satellite.

Tsiolkovsky thought it could
be utilized to grow vegetables
in hothouses outside the earth,
and in this way the inhabi-
tants of the celestial island
could. provide themselves with
their own vegetable food.

Nuclear research labora-
tories set up there would have
an, abundance of cosmic rays
for their studies.

An. artificial satellite - will
also be an excellent place for
television and other ultra-
short-wave broadcasts.

To facilitate interplanetary whether prolonged weightless-

SSS

types of rockets were shown in the
racing through space,

proposed
that it be divided into stages,
and that an artificial satellite
of the earth be used as a plat-
form for changing rockets.

It will be much easier to em-
erge into space flying from

such a platform than from the ,

earth.

There are a number of pro-
jects for space-travel with a
stop-over at an interplanetary
station.

According to one of them, on
arrival- from the earth the
rocket will be provided at the
interplanetary station with all
the equipment, fuel and food
it needs to continue its journey.

According to other projects,
the space-travellers will have
to change rockets at the inter-
planetary station. The rocket
in which they will resume their
voyage will be assembled. from
parts brought from the earth,
including equipment form ar-
riving rockets.

The space-station will be
useful in many other respects.
Astronauts will be able to
make experimental flights
from it to investigate condi-
tions under which future
space-trips will be carried out.

Extensive research will be
conducted to determine

uest of space

ness is harmless for man, how
artificial gravity affects him,
ere:

On a space-island it will be
possible to carry out research
for devising means of protec-
tion against the meteorite
menace.

Would-be space - travellers
will use the interplanetary sta-
tion as £ base for mastering
the complicated technique of
steering the rocket in empty
space.

Scientists will be able to ob-
tain most of the data they need
to work out the most rational
designs for a space-ship and
glider.

In some quarters it is con-
sidered that the could
take the place of an in‘er-
planetary station.

moon

But this is an incorrect view,
for the moon is very far re-
moved from our planet.

Moreover, since its mass
and, consequently,  gravita-
tional pull, are comparatively
great, it would take a great
deal of fuel for the space-ship
to land on its surface and then
take off.

@ A sixth extract on travel
to the Moon will appear
next week,

i

parade. Photo at right is of Sputnik 1
: and was caught by a 16 mm movie cameraman as the
Satellite passed over St. Paul, Minnesota.

November 22, 1957 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE 98