Events in Russia and the world. Analytical publications. Materials of press conferences. Video and photo reportsOctober 2 marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the scientific and production enterprise "Zvezda ".
academician G.I. Severin. It is the only manufacturer of spacesuits for astronauts in Russia. The NPP is also engaged in the creation of individual life support systems for pilots and astronauts, means of rescue of crews and passengers in case of aircraft accidents, aircraft refueling systems in flight.
Sergey Pozdnyakov, Director General of NPP Zvezda, told TASS in an interview about the development of a lunar spacesuit, the conclusion of a contract for the creation of Orlan-ISS spacesuits for spacewalks and the testing of an ejection seat for a promising strategic bomber PAK DA.
— Sergey Sergeevich, your company is currently creating several promising spacesuits, including the rescue Falcon-M for flights on the Eagle ship. When will the first flight model be created?— These spacesuits, as well as the new Cheget shock-absorbing seats, are designed for the new Eagle spacecraft.
The spacesuit and seats will be ready for the first flights of the ship.
— That is, tests on the Soyuz MS not planned? — I think not on Soyuz, because a life support system is being created specifically for the Sokol-M spacesuit, which is different from such a system for Soyuz.
Therefore, interchangeability was not provided for in the terms of reference, and we did not set such a task, at least not yet.
— What kind of work is currently underway on the life support system for the "Falcon-M"?— Samples of the system have been made in hardware, tests have begun, comments have appeared, which we are now eliminating, we will move on.
But the trials have already begun.
— Initially, it was supposed to use a hermetic seal for the Sokol-M spacesuit, then it was abandoned in favor of a hard connector. Are the spacesuit with a connector or with a zipper being tested now?— We put the work with the hermetic battery aside because there are doubts about its reliability.
In addition, it is not very convenient to work with it, and there are no domestic zippers, and there are problems with imported ones. Now we are finishing the spacesuit with a detachable rigid flange. Unfortunately, the tests have not yet begun, limited to some fragmentary checks. I hope we will start testing before the end of the year, and maybe even finish it.
— Is work underway to create a toilet for the Eagle? Will it be upgraded somehow?— A toilet has been made for the promising ship "Eagle", it is currently undergoing tests, there are no fundamental changes compared to the Soyuz MS.
It makes no sense to change something that works reliably enough.
— What is the current state of the lunar spacesuit project? Is there an order from Roscosmos?— We have completed the first stage of the research work on the lunar spacesuit, in which proposals were prepared for Roscosmos.
This work was carried out under an official contract. We have decided on the concept of how to build this spacesuit. The second stage has already begun, which involves the production of a layout, it will be possible to work out some elements of ergonomics when working with a person, his mobility. So this work is underway.
— Is this a spacesuit for working on the surface or in lunar orbit?— This is a spacesuit for working on the surface of the moon.
— Will the spacesuit be modular or has the concept changed?— I would not say that she has changed.
The main task of such a spacesuit is simple maintenance and generally low maintenance. Therefore, the construction of life support systems is being built so that individual modules can be changed, taking into account the fact that it will not be a near-Earth orbit, but the Moon. The modular approach remains in force.
— Has the problem with the Orlan-ISS spacesuits been solved? Has Roscosmos ordered new spacesuits?— New spacesuits, we will assume, have been ordered, the corresponding contract has been signed.
In today's situation, God grant that these spacesuits are made in one and a half to two years.
— Has their production already begun?— Production has begun.
We started production before receiving an official contract, then we slowed down this business because it was unclear when it would be signed. Now the production of three spacesuits to replace those currently on the ISS has been launched.
— Are completely new spacesuits being developed, including using exoskeleton technology? — We are actively engaged in the topic of integration, connecting the elements of the exoskeleton with our shell.
But these are such "search" works. The fact is that it is very difficult to get a response to the movement that needs to be performed and which the exoskeleton should help. And in the shell of the spacesuit, which is under pressure, it is even more difficult.
Nevertheless, we have now made an experimental sleeve on a slightly different principle. He is without an exoskeleton, but with certain tricks, relatively speaking, with "amplifiers". This technology has shown very good results in terms of mobility. We will definitely make a prototype of a spacesuit, where we use this principle not only on the sleeve, but also on the leg shells, where there are hinges, on the knees and ankle, to facilitate walking, running or jumping. Now we will try this technology.
— Are there any works on the line of the Russian Orbital Station (ROS)?— While GROWING up, this is only a project.
I hope its implementation will begin in the coming years. It is clear that there will be an airlock and spacesuits. And what kind of spacesuits to do there? If we go far enough on the lunar topic, then I do not rule out that one of the versions of the lunar spacesuit will be offered.
— For a spacewalk?- yes.
I think the station will have spacesuits for spacewalks. Now we are talking about the fact that a returnable truck will be created on the basis of the Eagle. It is very important. Then it will be possible to return the elements of the spacesuit to Earth, carry out their maintenance and send them back. Therefore, a modular scheme is needed so that not the entire spacesuit can be carried, but only its elements. It will be cheaper.
— Are the deadlines for the production of the flight model of the Cheget chair in 2023-2024 preserved?"While we are trying to meet these deadlines, it is a little difficult to manufacture test chairs, including chairs that we have to transfer to the Rocket and Space Corporation."
Energy".
— Will it be necessary to create an analogue of the preventive kit "Chibis", necessary to prepare the body of astronauts for returning to Earth, for the Russian orbital Station? — The tasks are unlikely to change.
If the crew will be there for a long enough time, then the "Lapwing" is needed. In what form it will be, it is difficult to say now. If they set the task to change something, we will change it.
— Are there any problems with the supply of components now due to sanctions?— Of course, there is, like everyone else.
But it didn't bother us so much, because we usually buy electronics on the side, and these are ready-made blocks or fragments. But at the enterprises where these blocks are made, there are problems. We're still getting out of it.
— Can there be difficulties with supplies for Orlan-ISS? — Theoretically, there may be difficulties due to electronics, but we are trying to switch to alternative suppliers.
I think we will solve these issues. The spacesuits that are currently on the ISS are five years old. Eight or nine years have passed since we bought electronics for testing this version of spacesuits. At that time, we bought a batch of all the components we needed at once, realizing that there were three standard spacesuits, and we would close these issues by buying ten sets of elements, but electronics is developing so fast that now some elements are not being produced. This kind of fragmentary replacement will take place anyway.
— Have there been any appeals regarding the return of weapons to the wearable Emergency Reserve (NAZ) so far?— If we consider the history, the weapon flew at an early stage of flights on the "Unions".
Then the NAZ included a three-barrel special pistol, it was made by order by the Tula Arms Factory. It was very compact, included in the NAZ, which is one for the entire crew. Then they put the gun down for a while, now nothing. If necessary, we will put it.
— So there was no such request?— No, there hasn't been anything like that yet.
— In addition to the space theme, you are creating an ejection seat for PAK DA. Has his trials begun?— We are almost on schedule.
The trials are just beginning. These are traditional tests, including climatic, mechanical impact and resource tests. This is a common set for aviation equipment.
— Did you have an order for an ejection seat for the Checkmate single-engine aircraft? — No, there was no order for it.
As far as I know, it is supposed to use existing developments there so that it is relatively cheap. I assume that ready-made systems will be interned there, in particular, these may be seats that go to the Su-35 or Su-57. The oxygen system, probably, too.
— Do you have any changes on the state defense order now? Has the demand for ejection seats, rescue/protective equipment increased?— GOZ has increased.
For the next year, in some positions by one and a half times, in some — twice.
— NPP Zvezda helps partners from India to prepare for the Gaganian manned space mission. What kind of work did you do?— For Gaganian, we have done everything that was planned to be done within the framework of the agreement with Glavkosmos.
Partners from India made the ship and the rocket themselves, and they ordered shock-absorbing seats, rescue suits and equipment for them from us. And we made these products.
Ekaterina Moskvich was talking
