Research on Jet Propulsion and Rocket Powders in the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1945—1950

Abstract

The article highlights historical events surrounding the creation and development of scientific laboratories at the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (AS of the Ukrainian SSR) and research on jet propulsion and rockets. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that today a significant amount of destroyed and damaged military equipment and weapons is stored in Ukraine, hence, searching for ways to reuse gunpowder for military and industrial needs is very promising from the environmental point of view. The study is based on documents from the Central State Archive of Public Associations (CSAGO) of Ukraine. Results of an historiographical review showed the absence of comprehensive scientific works devoted to the problems of organizing research on defense topics at the AS of the Ukrainian SSR in 1945—1950. Following the purpose of the study, documents were found on the creation and activities of Laboratory No. 1 at the Institute of Power Engineering of the AS of the Ukrainian SSR and special laboratories at the Institute of Mathematics of the AS of the Ukrainian SSR; the composition and content of the identified sources pertaining to the work of the research institutions of the AS of the Ukrainian SSR on jet propulsion and rockets were analyzed; little-known archival documents were introduced into scientific circulation. It is argued that the impetus for stepping up research on jet propulsion and rockets was given by the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Council of People’s Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR from February 16, 1945 “On Organizing the Department of Jet Propulsion and Rockets within the Institute of Power Engineering of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR”; the main provisions of this document are revealed. Events surrounding the establishment and early activities of the special laboratory at the Institute of Power Engineering of the AS of the Ukrainian SSR and the scientific laboratory No. 1 at the Institute of Mathematics of the AS of the Ukrainian SSR were reconstructed, with providing details about areas and results of their research on jet propulsion and rockets, which created the background for the development of Soviet rocket and space science. Biographical details about the heads of the mentioned laboratories, Dr. B.Z. Rudyi and Dr. M.M. Sytyi, are given.