Aleksei Mihailovich Isaev
Encyclopedia
Aleksei Mikhailovich Isaev (October 24, 1908, Saint Petersburg–June 10, 1971, Moscow) was a Russia
n rocket
engineer
.
Aleksei Isaev began work under Leonid Dushkin
during World War II
, on an experimental rocket-powered interceptor plane
. In 1944 he formed his own design bureau to engineer liquid-propellant engine
s. After abandoning the heavy, complex and undercooled German
engine designs, Russia's principal engine designer Valentin Glushko
turned to Isaev's innovations: thin-walled copper
combustion chambers backed by steel
support, anti-oscillation baffle
to prevent chugging, and the flat injector plate with mixing-swirling injectors. The latter was an enormous simplification of the "plumbing nightmare" of the V-2 engine, because it avoided the need for separate fuel lines to each sprayer.
Although his inventions influenced the design of Glushko's large engines, Isaev was better known for building efficient small rockets. In 1951, his engine powered the R-11 short-range missile, later named the Scud
in the West. He designed a series of course-correction engines for Soviet planetary probes, including the KDU-414 used in Venera 1
, Mars 1
up to Venera 8
, the KTDU-425 used in later planetary probes, KTDU-5 used in the Soviet lunar landers Luna 4
to Luna 13
.
Isaev was a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences
.
The crater Isaev
on the far side of the Moon
is named after him.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
.
Aleksei Isaev began work under Leonid Dushkin
Leonid Dushkin
Leonid Stepanovich Dushkin , born August 15, 1910 in the Spirove settlement of the Tver region. He died on April 4, 1990. Dushkin was a major pioneer of Soviet rocket engine technology. He graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in mathematics and mechanics...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, on an experimental rocket-powered interceptor plane
Interceptor aircraft
An interceptor aircraft is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically to prevent missions of enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Interceptors generally rely on high speed and powerful armament in order to complete their mission as quickly as possible and set up...
. In 1944 he formed his own design bureau to engineer liquid-propellant engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
s. After abandoning the heavy, complex and undercooled German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
engine designs, Russia's principal engine designer Valentin Glushko
Valentin Glushko
Valentin Petrovich Glushko or Valentyn Petrovych Hlushko was a Soviet engineer, and the principal Soviet designer of rocket engines during the Soviet/American Space Race.-Biography:...
turned to Isaev's innovations: thin-walled copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
combustion chambers backed by steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
support, anti-oscillation baffle
Sound baffle
A sound baffle is a construction or device which reduces the strength of airborne sound. Sound baffles are a fundamental tool of noise mitigation, the practice of minimizing noise pollution or reverberation. An important type of sound baffle is the noise barrier constructed along highways to...
to prevent chugging, and the flat injector plate with mixing-swirling injectors. The latter was an enormous simplification of the "plumbing nightmare" of the V-2 engine, because it avoided the need for separate fuel lines to each sprayer.
Although his inventions influenced the design of Glushko's large engines, Isaev was better known for building efficient small rockets. In 1951, his engine powered the R-11 short-range missile, later named the Scud
Scud
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported widely to other countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name SS-1 Scud which was attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies...
in the West. He designed a series of course-correction engines for Soviet planetary probes, including the KDU-414 used in Venera 1
Venera 1
On February 12, 1961, 00:34:36 UTC, was the first planetary probe launched to Venus by the Soviet Union. The Venus-1 Automatic Interplanetary Station, or Venera 1, was a 643.5 kg probe consisting of a cylindrical body 1.05 metres in diameter topped by a dome, totalling 2.035 metres...
, Mars 1
Mars 1
Mars 1, also known as 1962 Beta Nu 1, Mars 2MV-4 and Sputnik 23, was an automatic interplanetary station launched in the direction of Mars on November 1, 1962, the first of the Soviet Mars probe program, with the intent of flying by the planet at a distance of about 11,000 km...
up to Venera 8
Venera 8
Venera 8 was a probe in the Soviet Venera program for the exploration of Venus.Venera 8 was a Venus atmospheric probe and lander. Its instrumentation included temperature, pressure, and light sensors as well as an altimeter, gamma ray spectrometer, gas analyzer, and radio transmitters...
, the KTDU-425 used in later planetary probes, KTDU-5 used in the Soviet lunar landers Luna 4
Luna 4
Luna 4 was the USSR's first successful spacecraft of their "second generation" Luna program. The spacecraft, rather than being sent on a straight trajectory toward the Moon, was placed first in a low Earth orbit and then the rocket stage reignited to send it on a curving path towards the...
to Luna 13
Luna 13
-External links:* *...
.
Isaev was a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
.
The crater Isaev
Isaev (crater)
Isaev is a lunar crater on the far side of the Moon. It is entirely contained within the much larger walled plain Gagarin, and lies in the northwestern part of Gagarin's interior floor. The northwestern outer rim of Isaev is attached to the inner rim of Gagarin.Although younger than Gagarin, in...
on the far side of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is named after him.