110
3 A Brief History of Space Flight
Earth is 8 km/s and that it could be achieved by means of a multi-stage rocket fueled by
a mix of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Since then, Tsiolkovsky had successively
published many academic papers on rocket theory and space flight in the Journal of
Aviation Report from 1910 to 1914, thus building a completely theoretical system of
Astronautics, in which his research findings or academic views have created many
firsts in the history of space science and technology development.
(1) For the first time, it is clearly proposed that a liquid rocket is an ideal vehicle
for space flight.
(2) For the first time, all kinds of liquid propellants are studied systematically and
comprehensively, and it is proposed that liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
are the best rocket propellants.
(3) For the first time, the equation of rocket motion in a vacuum is derived in
detail, and the escape velocity of rocket is also calculated.
(4) For the first time, the concept of rocket’s mass ratio is proposed, and its
important significance is described.
(5) For the first time, the pumping way of a liquid rocket propellant is proposed.
(6) For the first time, the regenerative cooling method of the combustion chamber
of rocket engine is proposed.
(7) For the first time, the aerodynamic heating of the rocket motion in the
atmosphere is studied.
(8) For the first time, the sketch of a complete spaceship design is drawn.
(9) For the first time, it is proposed to use a gyroscope to realize the orientation
control of spacecraft.
(10) For the first time, the effects of weightlessness on biological and human
body are investigated, and the measures to reduce the adverse effects of
weightlessness and overweight are provided.
(11) For the first time, the experiments on the effects of weightlessness and
overweight on small animals are carried out.
(12) For the first time, the measures to improve the closed cabin environment by
utilizing plants and to provide food for astronauts are proposed.
(13) For the first time, the idea of space station and space biosphere is put forward.
(14) For the first time, the idea of propelling the spacecraft by using solar pressure
is put forward.
(15) For the first time, the idea of space colony is put forward.
Tsiolkovsky’s early works were published in professional scientific journals. The
readers were mainly scientists, and some people were skeptical. Yakov Isidorovich
Perelman (kov Icidopoviq Pepellman, 1882−1942), a Russian and Soviet
popular science writer, was interested in Tsiolkovsky’s academic papers and adapted
them into popular astronautic science fictions. In this way, the readership expanded
rapidly to improve the popularity of Tsiolkovsky, but the ordinary readers did not
think that Tsiolkovsky was a scientist. In the meantime, Tsiolkovsky also published
a science fiction, “Beyond the Earth”, which was widely welcomed by readers and
won a high fame.
3 A Brief History of Space Flight
Earth is 8 km/s and that it could be achieved by means of a multi-stage rocket fueled by
a mix of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Since then, Tsiolkovsky had successively
published many academic papers on rocket theory and space flight in the Journal of
Aviation Report from 1910 to 1914, thus building a completely theoretical system of
Astronautics, in which his research findings or academic views have created many
firsts in the history of space science and technology development.
(1) For the first time, it is clearly proposed that a liquid rocket is an ideal vehicle
for space flight.
(2) For the first time, all kinds of liquid propellants are studied systematically and
comprehensively, and it is proposed that liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
are the best rocket propellants.
(3) For the first time, the equation of rocket motion in a vacuum is derived in
detail, and the escape velocity of rocket is also calculated.
(4) For the first time, the concept of rocket’s mass ratio is proposed, and its
important significance is described.
(5) For the first time, the pumping way of a liquid rocket propellant is proposed.
(6) For the first time, the regenerative cooling method of the combustion chamber
of rocket engine is proposed.
(7) For the first time, the aerodynamic heating of the rocket motion in the
atmosphere is studied.
(8) For the first time, the sketch of a complete spaceship design is drawn.
(9) For the first time, it is proposed to use a gyroscope to realize the orientation
control of spacecraft.
(10) For the first time, the effects of weightlessness on biological and human
body are investigated, and the measures to reduce the adverse effects of
weightlessness and overweight are provided.
(11) For the first time, the experiments on the effects of weightlessness and
overweight on small animals are carried out.
(12) For the first time, the measures to improve the closed cabin environment by
utilizing plants and to provide food for astronauts are proposed.
(13) For the first time, the idea of space station and space biosphere is put forward.
(14) For the first time, the idea of propelling the spacecraft by using solar pressure
is put forward.
(15) For the first time, the idea of space colony is put forward.
Tsiolkovsky’s early works were published in professional scientific journals. The
readers were mainly scientists, and some people were skeptical. Yakov Isidorovich
Perelman (kov Icidopoviq Pepellman, 1882−1942), a Russian and Soviet
popular science writer, was interested in Tsiolkovsky’s academic papers and adapted
them into popular astronautic science fictions. In this way, the readership expanded
rapidly to improve the popularity of Tsiolkovsky, but the ordinary readers did not
think that Tsiolkovsky was a scientist. In the meantime, Tsiolkovsky also published
a science fiction, “Beyond the Earth”, which was widely welcomed by readers and
won a high fame.