/sci/ - Science & Math

>>15987771

>1968 December 12 - Kamanin catalogues the reasons the Soviet Union is losing the moon race
>Fighting between the VVS and its 'enemies' (Ustinov etc.)
>No single state organisation is responsible for civilian spaceflight.
>Various entities are responsible for various aspects of military spaceflight (RSVN, VMF, General Staff, VVS). Kamanin notes that the state has poured 10 billion roubles into the N1 without visible effect. He believes reusable systems are needed to reduce the cost of spaceflight. The death of General Biryuzov in a plane crash meant that the Soviet Union lost a strong supporter of a robust military space program.
>Kamanin believes the VVS should be in charge of piloted spacecraft, not the RVSN.
>Furthermore the entire design approach to manned spacecraft is incorrect -- what is needed is piloted spacecraft, not cosmonauts flying as passengers in automated spacecraft. The result of the automated philosophy was that the Soyuz was not man-rated until 1968. While the qualification process was going on, the American Gemini flew ten times. The Apollo-Saturn V has flown twice, while the L3 was still just a mock-up. In effect, the Soviet Union gave the Americans a two to three year lead, allowing them to beat the Russians.

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