Vladimir Vetchinkin
Encyclopedia
Vladimir Petrovich Vetchinkin (June 17(29), 1888 - March 6, 1950) was a Soviet scientist in the field of aerodynamics
, aeronautics
, and wind energy
, Doctor of Technical Sciences (1927), Honored Science Worker of the RSFSR (1946).
Vladimir Petrovich was born in Kutno
(then in the Russian division of Poland), the son of a military officer. Vetchinkin graduated from Moscow Higher Technical School (MVTU) in 1915, the favorite student of Nikolai Zhukovsky and generally viewed as his successor. In 1913, they had created a vortex-sheet theory of aircraft propellers. In 1916, Vetchinkin and Zhukovsky created the aviation calculation and test bureau in the wind-tunnel laboratory of the Moscow Higher Technical school, and in 1918 he helped found the Zhukovsky Central Institute of Aerodynamics (TsAGI). He became a professor at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy in 1923.
In 1914, Vetchinkin began working with Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev
on high performance windmills for electric power generation. Zhukovsky created a new division of wind motors in TsAGI to support this effort. They built an 8 kilowatt experimental wind generator in Kursk
in 1929. To store energy during lulls in the wind, it used a 360 kilogram flywheel contained in a vacuum chamber.
From 1921-1925, Vetchinkin lectured on the theory of rockets and space travel, and was the first to present a correct theory of interplanetary flight based on elliptical transfer orbits (an idea usually attributed to Walter Hohmann
). He was a member of the Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel
. From 1925-1927, he worked on problems of cruise missiles and jet aircraft, and he took part in the activity of RNII (Scientific Research Institute of Jet Propulsion). Vetchinkin was a key supporter of rocketry pioneer Yuri Kondratyuk
, and helped him get his work published.
He died in Moscow in 1950.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
, aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
, and wind energy
Wind energy
Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air in motion; see also wind power.Total wind energy flowing through an imaginary area A during the time t is:E = ½ m v2 = ½ v 2...
, Doctor of Technical Sciences (1927), Honored Science Worker of the RSFSR (1946).
Vladimir Petrovich was born in Kutno
Kutno
Kutno is a town in central Poland with 48,000 inhabitants and an area of 33,6 km2. Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , previously in Płock Voivodeship . It is the capital of Kutno County....
(then in the Russian division of Poland), the son of a military officer. Vetchinkin graduated from Moscow Higher Technical School (MVTU) in 1915, the favorite student of Nikolai Zhukovsky and generally viewed as his successor. In 1913, they had created a vortex-sheet theory of aircraft propellers. In 1916, Vetchinkin and Zhukovsky created the aviation calculation and test bureau in the wind-tunnel laboratory of the Moscow Higher Technical school, and in 1918 he helped found the Zhukovsky Central Institute of Aerodynamics (TsAGI). He became a professor at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy in 1923.
In 1914, Vetchinkin began working with Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev
Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev
Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev was a Russian engineer and aviation pioneer. He was born in Kursk. He invented a radial engine for which he received a Russian patent and designed his own vehicles "Spheroplane 1" and "Spheroplane 2" . He later designed and built agricultural equipment and wind...
on high performance windmills for electric power generation. Zhukovsky created a new division of wind motors in TsAGI to support this effort. They built an 8 kilowatt experimental wind generator in Kursk
Kursk
Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym Rivers. The area around Kursk was site of a turning point in the Russian-German struggle during World War II and the site of the largest tank battle in history...
in 1929. To store energy during lulls in the wind, it used a 360 kilogram flywheel contained in a vacuum chamber.
From 1921-1925, Vetchinkin lectured on the theory of rockets and space travel, and was the first to present a correct theory of interplanetary flight based on elliptical transfer orbits (an idea usually attributed to Walter Hohmann
Walter Hohmann
Walter Hohmann was a German engineer who made an important contribution to the understanding of orbital dynamics. In a book published in 1925, Hohmann demonstrated a very fuel-efficient path to move a spacecraft between two different orbits, now called a Hohmann transfer orbit. He received his Ph.D...
). He was a member of the Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel
Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel
The Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel was founded in Moscow in May 1924. It was a spin off of a military science society at the Zhukovsky Airforce Academy, and was chaired by Grigory Kramarov. Its 200 charter members included important Soviet space-exploration and rocketry experts such...
. From 1925-1927, he worked on problems of cruise missiles and jet aircraft, and he took part in the activity of RNII (Scientific Research Institute of Jet Propulsion). Vetchinkin was a key supporter of rocketry pioneer Yuri Kondratyuk
Yuri Kondratyuk
Yuri Vasilievich Kondratyuk , was a follower, supporter and founder of cosmism, pioneer of astronautics and spaceflight. He was a theoretician and a visionary who, in the early twentieth century, foresaw ways of reaching the moon...
, and helped him get his work published.
He died in Moscow in 1950.