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Top Secret (removed). Factory testing of the R-1, the first series
State central polygon MBC, September-November 1948.
part of the first training site. and firing bench tests
In the vastness located the central state polygon, absence of roads and dust create taught condition for tests.
Since the summer of 1948 was done work on constructing 38 km concrete road that connects the start and the technical position.
On the launch site in 1948. Construction for various services.
The telemetric system building.
The equipment of the telemetric station allows to monitor and record data and signals from flying missiles.
Central film theodolite station. For recording position of the missiles.
At the launch site built shelters for the service teams and trucks.
The command post, gone deep into the ground, protected from above by a thick layer of reinforced concrete. Periscopes set to monitor the launch and flight.
Testing missiles and its system carried on technical position, where this year was the construction of new barracks/office buildings.
The special train, coaches for personnel, workshops railroad cars and laboratories.
The horizontal test's hangar and storage facilities for missiles.
The stand for fire tests.
Preparations for fire tests.
... Mounted at the top of the stand on the rocket put Cardan ring and then lift it from to release the tail section. It is easier to observe the operation of the engine and its communications .... rocket moved and installed inside the stand.
To preserve the tail section, it is removed and transported on a special cart. Installed in a stand missile, stranded cables connected to the control panel and recorders, located in the bunker.
Record the performance of individual units and the engine.
Firing test conducts from this remote control station.
Before refueling sampled fuel components and hydrogen peroxide.
Sampling of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide.
Sampling of liquid oxygen.
These samples should be subjected to chemical analysis.
The samples studied in the chemical laboratory in railroad car.
At any ambient temperature liquid oxygen evaporates easily, because its boiling point is very low, minus 138 degrees Celsius.
Alcohol concentration must be at least 75 percent.
Firing bench tests
The sequence of the command passes propulsion units reflects on light scheme.
(text) Closing drainage. Ignition. preliminary stage and the main stage.
Engine is switched off in two stages, 25 tons of thrust is reduced to eight tons, and after 3-4 seconds the engine is switched off completely.
Special camerawork shows the process of firing tests in 3 times slow motion.
Engines operate at a preliminary stage. Engines operate on the main stage - 25 tons.
Top Secret (removed). Part two. Preparing to launch technical position.
(SP Korolyov standing at the table. Sitting Pilugin, Tregub, Glushko, Chertok)
After checking the missiles and a review, the commission agreed to proceed to launch of the missile.
Before firing tests or sending missile to the starting position, each missile is subjected to horizontal tests.
Horizontal test. Rocket moved to the hangar. With a rocket placed near test panels placed in the cabin.
For testing engine systems cables connected to test panels.
Propulsion test done by high pressure compressed air coming into the rocket through the hoses. The engine is fed a workflow of control signals from the control station to the control valves of the propulsion system.
Guidance devices, to be installed on the rocket are tested in separate laboratory tests.
Checked electrical signals from the controls and flow of air and gas-jet rudders. The correctness of the rudder's opertion is controlled.
Acceleration integrator "IG-1" has to switch off the engine when the rocket reaches the set speed. At this point, the integrator send command to switch to 8 tons stage. This indicates by special light. And after 3-4 seconds switching off the engine will be confirmed by second indicator.
Instrument has shown the necessary accuracy and does not require further adjustment.
Gyroscopic devices that hold the rocket to the desired path, tested on the rocking table.
A correctly operating device (rotor) takes a set (defined) position. And as the missile did deviate from axis, gyroscopic devices retains its position, trying to return the rocket to the desired trajectory. Deviation of axis on gyroscopic devices "Vertikant" controlled by tests equipment.
After checking the gyroscopic devices are mounted on a plate and check done again on the tilt table. Only after that gyroscopic devices are installed in the instrument's compartment.
At the end of the horizontal test, gyroscopic devices installed in the rocket, the rocket moves to a crane.
The rocket lifted and the cart rolled out.
After that, rocket laid on the special cart, fixed by bandages and moved to the starting position.
Top Secret (removed). Part three. Preparation of the rocket at the launch site. Start.
In the center of the starting position set the launch pad.
Support the launch pad (table) made as jacks. With these jacks table adjusted to the horizontal position.
The rocket moves to the launch pad on a special carriage.
Before installation of the rocket on the launch pad the suspension platform attached (for essential work in the instrument's compartment).
Before lifting and placing the rocket to a precisely position on the launch pad, a special carriage rolled by hand.
The Boom mast, with the rocket attached to it, operates by telescopic hydraulic pistons.
Setting the rocket on the launch pad, and then orient it in the direction of the plane of flight (plane of firing rocked) takes 40-45 minutes.
Before launch the vertical-launch tests are conducted.
Checked (again) the functionality of all devices installed in the rocket.
Checked again propulsion system.
Test Equipment's (mobile) laboratory is mounted in the back of the truck.
In that laboratory was tested equipment in addition to regular tests.
The general tests repeated.
Launch chart.
Case of correct functionality.
(Command Ready)
(Command Drainage) 0:14:59.000,0:15:00.000 (Command Ignition)
(Command Preliminary Stage) - 0:15:03.000,0:15:04.000 (Command Preparation to the Main Stage).
Electrical circuit organized so that all commands can be executed only in strict sequence.
"Ready". Devices and the control circuits are in order. Rocket ready for launch.
"Drainage". At this command release of oxygen into the atmosphere stopped. The pressure in the oxygen tank reaches 1.5 atmosphere.
"Ignition". At this command in the combustion chamber special ignition device initiates.
"Preliminary stage". At this command fuel and oxygen ignites at the combustion chamber.
"Preparing to the Main Stage". For this circuit ... main stage and if all the connections are correct, then "Start button" can be pressed.
At the end of the general tests, hatches closed, and the command is given to start fueling the rocket.
During the preparation of the rocket for the launch, at the same time has to be prepared monitoring services.
One minute before the launch, by command from the central film station, three film- theodolite stations starts to roll cameras.
Same time at the target site, located in the desert sands 270 kilometers far from the launch point.
Aircraft ready to fly to the target site to investigate the explosion crater. Upcoming rocket's flight air service receives information from the launch pad by radio.
Prior launch left 30 minutes.
Refilling rocket is over.
Fueling equipment, tanks with oxygen, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide tanker leaving the launch area.
Prior launch left 15 minutes.
Instrument compartment and all hatches are closed, suspended platform is removed.
Last from launch area moves out ground rocket carriage and a compressor station.
Prior launch left 5 minutes. All preparatory operations have been completed. The operator expects the command = "Key to the start".
Before launch is 1 minute.
Turning the key launches the rocket (operator turned key actually launched first satellite and first man to the space. All military personal recorded in film rest of their life was involved in space launches)