On October 24-25, Barmin Readings were held in the Closed administrative-territorial entity (BUT) Tsiolkovsky, on the territory of which Russia's first civilian cosmodrome Svobodny is located. This is a scientific and educational event held with the aim of popularizing scientific and technical knowledge, preserving and developing the scientific and historical heritage associated with the activities of prominent figures in the rocket and space industry, as well as stimulating the research activity of students, students and specialists.
According to Alexander Marusev, Executive Director of the Association of Cosmonautics Museums of Russia, the name "Barmin Readings" refers to the scientific and engineering contribution of the outstanding designer Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin and his associates in the development of Russian cosmonautics, emphasizing the continuity of generations and the importance of engineering, technical and natural science education in schools, secondary and higher educational institutions for modern technological development of Russia.
Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin is a Soviet scientist, designer of rocket launchers, rocket-space and combat launch complexes, one of the founders of Soviet cosmonautics.
 |
| Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin. |
| Source: Valery Ageev |
He was born in Moscow in the family of an employee. In 1926 he graduated from the Ivantsov Moscow Real College, and in 1930 from the Mechanical Faculty of the Moscow Mechanical Engineering Institute (later the Bauman Moscow State Technical University).
After graduation, he worked as a design engineer at the Kotloapparat plant (later renamed Compressor), where he developed compressors and refrigeration equipment. In 1935-1936, he was on a long-term business trip to the United States.
In 1940, he was appointed chief designer of the design bureau at the Compressor plant. Since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he led the work on the creation of industrial models of rocket launchers, known as "Katyusha". During the war years, 78 types of rocket launchers and their modifications were developed under his leadership, of which 36 were adopted by the Army and Navy.
In 1946, the special design bureau of the Compressor plant was transformed into the State Union Design Bureau of Special Engineering (GSKB "Spetsmash"). Barmin joined the Council of Chief Designers, created by S. P. Korolev to coordinate work on the creation of rocket technology.
Under his leadership, launch complexes were developed for many Korolev-designed missiles, including the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile, the R-7 (1957). This launch complex provided the launch of the first artificial satellite of the Earth and the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Barmin also participated in the creation of launch complexes for Proton launch vehicles and the Energia—Buran reusable rocket and space system. He led the development of automatic ground sampling devices for exploring the Moon and Venus. The Barmin Design Bureau created the world's first detailed design of the Zvezda lunar base, which remained unfulfilled.
Yes, the designer was not directly related to the Svobodny cosmodrome, he passed away in 1993, and its construction began only in 2012, and did not participate in its creation, although the principles and engineering solutions developed at the Barmin Design Bureau influenced the design of the launch systems of this cosmodrome.
In addition, the launch complex for the Angara launch vehicle is used at the Svobodny cosmodrome. It was developed by Igor Vladimirovich Barmin, the son of Vladimir Pavlovich and his successor as general designer of the General Engineering Design Bureau. Igor Barmin adapted the principles and engineering solutions laid down by his father to meet the modern requirements and specifics of the site in the Far East.
 |
| PH "Angara". |
| Source: Valery Ageev |
The International Tsiolkovsky Youth Readings is a major scientific and educational forum that has been held in Russia since 1989. Viktor Petrovich Savinykh, a pilot—cosmonaut of the USSR, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, has been the honorary chairman of the readings all these years.
 |
| "Barmin Readings" at the Tsiolkovsky Library. |
| Source: Valery Ageev |
Initially, the event was regional in nature, but over time it grew into an international status, bringing together thousands of young researchers over the decades who were passionate about space exploration.
The event gathers participants from dozens of regions of Russia and foreign countries. Over the years, the profile of the sections has expanded. Initially, the focus was on the history and theory of cosmonautics, but today the program includes such areas as "Space exploration", "Space Engineering and Technology", "Aerospace modeling and prototyping", "Space: medicine and ecology", "Fiction and space", "Original films about aviation and cosmonautics", as well as "Geographic information technologies and remote sensing of the Earth".
The main mission of the readings, which was established from the first forum, is to support talented youth, instill interest in engineering and space specialties, preserve the historical memory of the achievements of Russian science and foster pride in Russian cosmonautics. The readings are considered by the organizers as a launching pad for future scientists and engineers.
Valery Ageev
