Cicada lunar spacecraft, biplanetary MAVR: scientists declassified the Soviet project Galaxy

The main goal of the explorers was Mars

Drones circling over … the Moon and Mars were discussed by Soviet scientists back in 1969. A division of Roscosmos, the Russian Space Systems holding, has declassified a unique historical document, the Galaxy Scientific and Technical Report, implying the colonization of the planets closest to us in the last century.

In a single plan prepared by the engineers of NII-885 (today – RKS) under the leadership of the chief designer Mikhail Ryazansky, all areas of development of space radio electronics for the 70-80s of the XX century are united. Even its detailed application is outlined in accordance with the then planned space goals. The main one was the exploration of outer space with interplanetary flights to the Moon and Mars.

Tasks for mathematicians and engineers of that time were set such that, for sure, ours never dreamed of. For example, to ensure the range of radar systems at a distance of up to 5-6 billion (!) Kilometers. Yes, so that the quality of the radio equipment is such that it is enough for 10-12 years.

“Quantum” communication on the moon

So far, we have not developed a navigation system for the Moon. But as it turns out, our scientists already back in 1969 said that this was quite feasible. Moreover, even for unmanned automatic missile systems. They held the same opinion about radio communications with lunar vehicles. For example, in 1971-1972, with the help of such radio communications, it was planned to organize the first Soviet lunar manned base on the Moon with transport support and an active life time of up to 10 days, after 1975 – for 30 days. By that time, it was supposed to create systems for creating the Columbus-1 lunar base with a staff of 4-6 people.

Further – more: since 1980, the Columbus-2 base was supposed to switch to a long-term existence with an increase in staff to 10 people and a change of personnel once a year.

The engineers of the Institute pointed out that the colonization of the Moon would require the organization of an extensive communication network involving artificial satellites of the Moon, relay systems, centralized collection of information, as well as the commissioning of a stationary broadband communication line “Earth – Moon – Earth”. In order to implement all this, it was planned to create a single long-range radio complex under the code “Quantum”. It was supposed to become universal for all on-board systems. It was based on a “specialized computer”, or one of the first Soviet computers.

Communication on the Moon, according to the developers, was supposed to be of several types: wired, radio, satellite, and for navigation it was planned to use the Earth as a repeater. All this would make it possible to establish a reliable communication between the first lunar inhabitants, their homes and vehicles. There should have been several of the latter at the second stage of the exploration of the Moon: from heavy lunar rovers – “Ants” to light and even flying vehicles above the surface called “Cicadas”.

Where is the post office on Mars?

However, the Moon was not the main target for scientists. The leaders in the long-term plans of the USSR were the exploration of Mars with the landing of people on its surface. First, unmanned, and then manned complexes were supposed to reach the Red Planet in 1973-78, that is, almost in parallel with the habitation of the moon.

And the first on Mars was supposed to be an automatic biolaboratory. Following it, it was planned to send a Martian automatic complex, consisting of one orbiter and two descent vehicles. The descents were supposed to deliver self-propelled long-lived laboratories to the surface, which were to carry out a mineralogical analysis of the terrain, an analysis of the degree of biological hazard, global mapping, photography, topographic survey and arrange beacons for future landing of unmanned vehicles. These lighthouses were given the name “DIM objects” (delivery of information from Mars). In their locations, the previous rover was supposed to deposit the soil samples it collected for their subsequent sending to Earth by a new apparatus.

The Martian complex for manned flight was planned to be assembled in Earth orbit since 1973. By 1978, all systems of the Martian ship were to be worked out. In the same year, the country was preparing to send the first astronauts in a biplanetary orbit: around Mars and Venus. The project was called “MAVR”. Well, at the final stage of the program, it was already planned to land people on Mars.

To help all these plans, it was necessary to create a special space center based on a receiving antenna with increased efficiency and a transmitting antenna equipped with transmitters with a total power of up to 80 kW. RKS scientists were going to develop fundamentally new radio equipment that could ensure the landing of the descent vehicle in the selected area of ​​Mars.

In the scientific and technical report “Galaxy”, scientists summed up the developments in the field of space radio electronics in the 60s of the twentieth century. It was emphasized that this decade was the period of formation of space radio electronics.