 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kelvin (measurement of temperature - metric system)
K.
Alternate designation for Kosmoplan mars orbiter.
K-1.
Alternate Designation of R-21 submarine-launched ballistic missile.
K10S.
ISAS solid rocket engine family.
K10S.
ISAS solid rocket engine.
K-15.
K-15
K150.
Japanese sounding rocket. 1/1.6 subscale test rocket used in development of the Kappa 9L sounding rockets.
K150.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 19 kN.
K160.
ISAS solid rocket engine family.
K160.
ISAS solid rocket engine.
K220.
ISAS solid rocket engine.
K245.
Japanese sounding rocket. Subscale test rocket used in development of the Kappa series of sounding rockets.
Solid rocket stage. 34.00 kN (7,644 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
K250.
ISAS solid rocket engine family.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 34 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 34 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 43 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 34 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine.
K420.
ISAS solid rocket engine family.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 45 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 110 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 110 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 110 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 110 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 110 kN.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Two stage vehicle for suborbital tests consisting of 1 x R-14 + 1 x S3M.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Two stage vehicle for suborbital tests consisting of 1 x R-14 + 1 x S3M.
K65UP.
Article Number of Vertikal-4 orbital launch vehicle.
KA.
Spacecraft (Russian abbreviation)
Kabardin-Balak.
Kachigan, Karl American Chief Engineer and Director, Atlas Launch Vehicle, at General Dynamics in the 1970's and 1980's
Kachur, Ivan (-1960) Russian phantom cosmonaut. Said to have died in October 1960 in first attempted Soviet manned flight. Linked to model Khrushchev was to have revealed at UN. In fact, model was of Mars probe that failed.
Saudi manufacturer of spacecraft. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Tech, Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
CGM-13B Mace operating base.
Kadenyuk, Leonid Konstantinovich (1951-) Ukrainian test pilot cosmonaut, payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-87. Longest wait for a spaceflight after becoming an astronaut - 21 years. Soyuz cosmonaut 1976-1983; Spiral pilot 1983-1987; Buran pilot, 1987-1989, NASA PS, 1996.
Japanese technology satellite. One launch, 2009.01.23. Technology satellite built by Sorun Corporation, Tokyo, with several technology payloads.
Japanese launch center for solid fueled sounding rockets and satellite launchers. Limited to two months a year due to disturbance of local fisheries.
Kappa Pad
SB-735, S, Lambda launch complex. Lambda Pad
Mu launch complex. Mu Pad
M-V launch complex. M-V Pad
Kappa launch complex. Temporary pad
Japanese lunar orbiter. Launched 2007.09.14.
Kaiser Marquardt.
First Owner of Marquardt
Kaiser Wilhelm Geschuetz.
Manufacturer's designation for Paris Gun gun-launched missile.
South Korean manufacturer of spacecraft. Korea Advanced Institute for Space Technology, Korea South.
Kaitsat.
Manufacturer's designation for Kitsat technology satellite.
Kaituozhe-1.
Manufacturer's designation for KT-1 all-solid orbital launch vehicle.
Kaituozhe-2.
Manufacturer's designation for KT-2 all-solid orbital launch vehicle.
Kaituozhe-2A.
Manufacturer's designation for KT-2A all-solid orbital launch vehicle.
Japanese communications satellite. One launch, 1998.02.21. Name means 'Bridge', was called Communications and Broadcasting Experimental Test Satellite (COMETS) before launch. It contained Ka-band communications and inter-satellite data relay payloads.
Kalashnikov, Aleksei Sergeyevich (1921-) Russian officer; after service in WW2, assigned to GAU section monitoring missile work of OKB-1. Worked in ascending positions at Kapustin Yar 1951-1960, then at GURVO staff 1961-1981. From 1981 deputy chief of NPO Geofizika.
Kaleri, Aleksandr Yuryevich (1956-) Latvian-Russian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on Mir EO-11, Mir EO-22, Mir EO-28, ISS EO-8, ISS EO-25. 769 cumulative days in space. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO.
Kalmykov, Valeriy Dmitriyevich (1908-1974) Russian bureaucrat. Minister of Radio-Technical Industry 1954-1974.
Kamanin, Nikolai Petrovich (1908-1982) Russian VVS Officer, first commander of Soviet cosmonaut detachment 1960-1971. Advocate of piloted spaceflight, fought constantly for VVS role in space, blamed loss of space race on Korolev's insistence on using automated systems.
Summary of a principal source in Soviet space history
Kamm.
Kamm, Robert W (1917-2001) American aerodynamicist, at NASA 1939-1946, 1959-1968. Served in NASA California management positions.
Base for units deployed with two R-1/R-2 launchers, followed by six R-5.
Kanai, Norishige (1976-) Japanese physician mission specialist astronaut, 2009-on.
Quality, Reliability, Resources in First Article quality assurance system (Russian abbreviation)
American sounding rocket.
Japanese manned spacecraft. Study 1995. Kawasaki design for single stage to orbit reusable booster. Would carry 50 passengers to orbiting hotels or fast intercontinental flights.
Japanese SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Kawasaki design for single stage to orbit reusable booster. Would carry 50 passengers to orbiting hotels or fast intercontinental flights.
Base for units deployed with 27 RT-2PM missiles.
Kantrowitz, Arthur (1913-) American physicist, founded Avco-Everett in 1955. Vice president and director of Avco Corporation, 1856-1978.
KAO.
Kuiper Airborne Observatory
In December 1975 Otrag signed an agreement with the Congolese government to established a rocket range to test its low-cost rockets deep in the interior at Shaba (Katanga) province. The austere site included logistic support via antique British Argosy transports landing at a dirt strip on a plateau overlooking the jungle. Here a pad and gantry were erected and flight tests began in 1977. However Otrag's activities made the great powers nervous. The USSR was not interested in Germany achieving an indigenous long-range rocket activity. The government of the Congo was pressured by the USSR to withdraw permission to use the site. Otrag was thrown out of the country in April 1979.
Kaplan, Joseph (1902-1991) Hungarian-American geophysicist, heavily involved in efforts in the 1950s to launch the first satellite, served as the chair of the US National Committee for the International Geophysical Year, 1953-1963.
Japanese sounding rocket. The Kappa series represented Japan's first large post-war indigenously-developed sounding rockets. They led eventually to the Lambda and Mu solid rocket satellite launchers.
The Kappa series represented Japan's first large post-war indigenously-developed sounding rockets. They led eventually to the Lambda and Mu solid rocket satellite launchers.
Japanese sounding rocket. Single stage vehicle.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 10 kN.
Japanese sounding rocket. 2-3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420H + 1 x K420(1/3)
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420H + 1 x K420(1/3)
Japanese sounding rocket. Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420H + 1 x K420(1/3) + 1 x K10S
Solid rocket stage. 110.00 kN (24,729 lbf) thrust. Mass 1,200 kg (2,646 lb).
Solid propellant rocket stage. Thrust 45.00 kN.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 100 kg.
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 3 Booster + 1 x Kappa 1
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 200 kg.
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 3 Booster + 1 x Kappa 1
Solid rocket stage. 10.00 kN (2,248 lbf) thrust.
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 4 Booster + 1 x Kappa 4
ISAS solid rocket engine. 10 kN.
ISAS solid rocket engine. 105 kN.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Thrust 105.00 kN.
Solid rocket stage. 10.00 kN (2,248 lbf) thrust.
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 4 Booster + 1 x Kappa 4
Solid rocket stage. 34.00 kN (7,644 lbf) thrust. Mass 200 kg (441 lb).
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 6 + 1 x Kappa 6 St2
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 6H + 1 x Kappa 6 St2
Solid rocket stage. 19.00 kN (4,271 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
Japanese sounding rocket. Single stage vehicle.
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420 + 1 x Kappa 8
Solid rocket stage. 34.00 kN (7,644 lbf) thrust. Mass 300 kg (661 lb).
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kappa 6H + 1 x Kappa 8L
Solid rocket stage. Mass 300 kg (661 lb).
Solid rocket stage. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
Japanese sounding rocket. 2-3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420H + 1 x K250 + optional upper stage.
Japanese sounding rocket. Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420 + 1 x Kappa 6 + 1 x Kappa 6 St2
Solid rocket stage. 110.00 kN (24,729 lbf) thrust. Mass 1,200 kg (2,646 lb).
Japanese sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x K420H + 1 x K250
Solid rocket stage. 43.00 kN (9,667 lbf) thrust. Mass 300 kg (661 lb).
Russia's first missile test range and used for satellite launches of smaller Kosmos vehicles. V-2's launched from here in 1946 were the first ballistic missiles fired on Soviet territory. It was greatly expanded as the test site for innumerable Soviet intermediate and short range missile projects in the 1950's.. Kapustin Year was also headquarters of the first operational R-1/R-2 units, 1950-1953, and later a base for 12 operational R-14 missile launchers. Kapustin Yar was known to have been used for over 3519 major launches from 1946 to 2007.
Kosmos 3 launch complex.
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Kosmos 3 launch complex.
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
RT-15, R-5, Kosmos 3 launch complex.
PU 1 or 4
Kosmos 2, R-31 launch complex.
Kosmos 2 launch complex.
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Orbital launch vehicle launcher
Kosmos 2 launch silo.
Kosmos 2 launch silo.
MR-100 launch area
Korolev launch area
Kosmos 2 launch complex. PL 1, Vladimirovka Air Force test area
RT-2 launch complex.
Launch area south
SAM Test area
Kosmos 3 launch silo. Unknown location.
R-11 launch complex. SM-49 submarine simulator
R-2 launch complex. Unknown site for R-2A launches
START SS-20 Site
START R-12 Site
V-2, RT-15, R-5, R-2, R-17, R-11, R-1, Pioner, MR-12, M-100, Kosmos 3, Kosmos 2, RT-1, R-13, MMR-06, MERA launch complex. V-2 Launch Area
Burya launch complex. Vladimirovka Air Force test area
Karas, Andrei Grigoryevich (1918-1979) Russian officer, Commander, TsUKOS / GUKOS 1965-1979. Ended WW2 as commander of an artillery corps. After study at Dzerzhinsky, assigned to Kapustin Yar from 1951, followed by assignments at 4 NIIP MO and Baikonur. Chief of TsKIK 1959-1965.
Karashtin, Dr Vladimir Vladimirovich (1962-) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1989-2002.
KARI.
South Korean agency overseeing development of rockets and spacecraft. Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea South.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1961-1990. Base for units deployed with 12 R-14, and probably R-12 missiles.
Karpov, Yevgeni Anatolyevich (1921-1990) Russian officer. First Director of the Cosmonaut Training Centre 1960-1963.
Karrask, Vladimir Konstantinovich (1928-2004) Russian chief designer. From 1964-1986 Deputy Chief Designer, and from 1986-1989 Chief Designer of KB Salyut.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1965-present. Base for 46 heavy ICBM (R-36/R-36M) silos.
Kartashov, Anatoli Yakovlevich (1932-2005) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1960-1961.
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. Kartukov Design Bureau, Russia.
Kartukov, Ivan Ivanovich Russian chief designer. Chief Designer of KB-2 of Factory 81. Specialised in solid-propellant engines for spacecraft.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 14.7 kN. LL-1, LL-2, LL-3. Developed 1946-48.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. P-15M. Out of Production. Launch thrust 284 kN.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 294 kN. P-35. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 179 kN. P-5. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. P-6. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 785 kN. Soyuz 7K-OK, Soyuz 7KT-OK, Soyuz 7K-T. Out of Production. Thrust 76 tf at cutout - 80.1tf at ignition.
Kartukov Soyuz T - TM SAS 17k.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 171 kN. Soyuz T, Soyuz TM. In Production. Thrust 10 tf at cutout - 17.5 at ignition.
Kartukov Soyuz T - TM SAS 73k.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 715 kN. Soyuz T, Soyuz TM. In Production. Thrust 45 tf at cutout - 73 tf at ignition.
Kaschig, Erich (1906-1988) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Katerinich, Mikhail Mikhailovich (1918-) Russian officer. Major-General, veteran of early rocketry activities at Kapustin Yar from 1949.
Katorgin, Boris Ivanovich Russian chief designer. From 1991 General Director and Chief Designer NPO Energomash. Designer of liquid propellant rocket engines and chemical lasers.
Katys, Georgiy Petrovich (1926-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1964-1972.
Russian surface-to-surface missile. Unguided rocket built in a variety of calibres and used by the Red Army from 1941 onward.
Katz.
Katz, Amron Harry (1915-) American physicist. At Rand, 1954-1969; specialist aerospace reconnaissance. Amron Harry Katz was a physicist who worked with the Rand Corp, Santa Monica, California, between 1954 and 1969. He was a specialist aerospace reconnaissance.
Kauai
Kauba German rocket engineer in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA on amplifiers in the automated control loop department 1947-1952.
Kaufmann, Walther German expert in aerodynamical research during World War II. As of January 1947, working at Graefeling-Munich Spitzelberste, 5.
KAUR.
Common satellite bus (Russian abbreviation)
Family of spacecraft.
Family of spacecraft.
Family of spacecraft.
Family of spacecraft.
Kavandi, Dr Janet Lynn (1959-) American chemist mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-91, STS-99, STS-104. Chemist.
Kavoshgar.
Alternate designation for Safir-2 orbital launch vehicle.
Japanese manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Kawasaki, Japan.
Kayser, Lutz T (1939-) German engineer and low-cost rocket pioneer. 1975-1987 developed Otrag concept - clustered large numbers of low-cost storable liquid rocket modules to reduce costs by 10x. Tested in Congo and Libya, but project killed by vested interests.
German manufacturer of spacecraft. Kayser-Threde, Munich, Germany.
Kazakh AF.
Kazakhstan
Requirement: pilots from Kazakhstan to visit Mir space station.
Requirement: pilots from Kazakhstan to visit ISS space station.
Russian agency. KazSat, Russia.
KB.
Design Bureau (Russian abbreviation)
KB Khimavtomatiki.
Third Owner of Kosberg
KB KhimMash.
Second Owner of Melnikov
KB Khimmash Imeni A. M. Isayeva.
Third Owner of Isayev
KB Melnikov.
Fourth Owner of Melnikov
KB Yuzhnoye (1965).
Second Owner of Yuzhnoye
KB-1.
Second name of Almaz
KB-1.
First name of Vympel
KB-2 of OKB-81.
First Owner of Kartukov
KB-82 Factory 134 GKAT.
First Owner of GosMKB Vympel
KBEM.
Fourth Owner of Bondaryuk
KBM (1965).
Second Owner of Makeyev
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. KBMash, Russia.
KBOM.
Design Bureau of General Machine Building (Russian abbreviation)
KBOM (1965).
Third Owner of Barmin
KBP.
Russian manufacturer of rockets. Instrument Production Design Bureau, Tula, Russia.
KBPM.
Common satellite bus (Russian abbreviation)
KBPM (1965).
Second Owner of Reshetnev
KD2U-1.
Alternate designation for Regulus 2 intermediate range cruise missile.
KDU-1.
Alternate Designation of BQM-6C intermediate range cruise drone.
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 1.961 kN. Molniya 1, Mars 1, Venera 1, Zond 2-3 maneuvering engine. Out of Production. Spacecraft maneuvering engine. Isp=272s.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 3.089 kN. Soyuz-T orbital correction engine. In Production. Pressure-fed engine. Used as long duration engine for correction orbits of satellites. Isp=292s.
American military anti-satellite system. Study 1989. In 1989 the US Army began a demonstration/validation program to develop a direct ascent kinetic energy ASAT for US forces.
Keathley, William C American engineer, at NASA from 1966. Project manager for the Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount Optical Telescope Assembly; manager of Hubble Space Telescope from 1977.
Kehlet, Alan Bernard (1929-) American engineer. Inventor of lenticular manned spacecraft; managerial engineering positions on Apollo program (1962-1969); Vice President for Delta booster 1988-1993.
American manned spaceplane. Study 1961. Alan B. Kehlet of NASA's Space Task Group New Projects Panel, worked at NASA Langley and first conceived of his lenticular manned spacecraft design in 1959.
Keiner German rocket technician and engineer in WW2; later worked in France, first at LRBA as part of the structures group, then at SEP. Died in 1986.
Keldysh, Mstislav Vsevolodovich (1911-1978) Chief Theoretician of the Soviet missile and space programmes, 1946-1978. Played a key role in virtually every space project decision until his death. He was President of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR from 1961 to 1975.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 100,000/29,500 kg. Thrust 980.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 285 seconds. Boosted to launch speed of 500 m/s by rocket sled. Boost phase assisted with two ramjets which increases effective specific impulse to over 500 seconds.
Russian intercontinental boost-glide missile. Soviet version of the Saenger antipodal bomber intensely studied on Stalin's direct orders in 1946-1947. The final study concluded that, given the fuel consumption of foreseeable rocket engines, the design would only be feasible using ramjet engines and greatly advanced materials. This meant that development could only begin in the late 1950's, when such technologies were available. By that time the design had been superseded by more advanced concepts.
Keldysh Research Center.
Third Owner of Polyarniy
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 50,000/25,000 kg. Thrust 5,880.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 285 seconds. Boosts Keldysh bomber to launch speed of 500 m/s. Mass estimated based on fuel consumed in 11 second boost phase.
Kellogg, William W (1917-) American Meteorologist. William W. Kellogg was a meteorologist with the Rand Corp. between 1947 and 1959. Thereafter, he held a senior position with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado.
American manufacturer of rocket engines. Kellogg, USA.
Kelly, James McNeal 'Vegas' (1964-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-102, STS-114.
American manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Kelly Space and Technology, USA.
Kelly, Mark Edward (1964-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-108, STS-121, STS-124, STS-134. Twin brother of astronaut Scott Kelly. Grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. Flew 39 combat missions over Iraq.
Kelly, Mervin J (1894-1971) American physicist, at Bell Laboratories from 1934, President 1951-1959. Science advisor to NASA, 1961.
Kelly, Scott Joseph (1964-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-103, STS-118, ISS EO-25. Twin brother of astronaut Mark Kelly.
Kelly, Thomas J (1927-2002) American Chief Designer, at Grumman 1951-1992. Led development, test and flight of the Apollo Lunar Module1960-1972.
Kemper, J German Physician. Captain, Military, German expert in biological warfare during World War II.
Kemurdzhian, Rleksandr Leonovich Russian engineer. Chief Designer of VNII-100. Specialised in robotic lunar rovers.
Kennan.
Alternate designation for KH-11 military surveillance satellite.
Kennedy, John F (1916-1963) American polictician, President of the United States, 1961-1963. Declared the goal of landing an American on the moon by 1970 in 1961 as a means of beating the Soviet Union in the space race.
Kennedy Space Center.
Alternate name for Cape Canaveral launch site.
Kensche, Heinz German Luftwaffe test pilot.
Kent.
American manufacturer. Kent, USA.
South African manufacturer. Kentron, South Africa.
Kenya
Kepler
Kepler, Johannes (1571-1630) German scientist. Astronomer who derived the laws of planetary motion.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 186 launches from 1963 to 1981, reaching up to 416 kilometers altitude.
Kerimov, Kerim Aliyevich (1919-) Russian officer. First Commander of TsUKOS 1964-1965. Directorate Chief of Ministry of General Machine Building 1965-1974.
Kermanshah
Kern County.
In January 1953 Rocketdyne commenced the REAP program to develop a number of improvements to the engines being developed for the Navaho and Atlas missiles. Among these was development of a special grade of kerosene suitable for rocket engines. Prior to that any number of rocket propellants derived from petroleum had been used. Goddard had begun with gasoline, and there were experimental engines powered by kerosene, diesel oil, paint thinner, or jet fuel kerosene JP-4 or JP-5. The wide variance in physical properties among fuels of the same class led to the identification of narrow-range petroleum fractions, embodied in 1954 in the standard US kerosene rocket fuel RP-1, covered by Military Specification MIL-R-25576. In Russia, similar specifications were developed for kerosene under the specifications T-1 and RG-1. The Russians also developed a compound of unknown formulation in the 1980's known as 'Sintin', or synthetic kerosene.
Tripropellant motors use high-density kerosene for the boost phase, then low-density, high-performance liquid hydrogen for the later stages of ascent. However the propellants are stored in seperate tanks. The fuel density indicated is the average for the MAKS design, which burned 17,850 kg LH2 and 18,698 Kerosene to reach orbit using 175,758 kg of liquid oxygen oxidiser.
Kershner, Robert B (1913-1982) American Chief Designer. Developer of the Transit navigation satellite system.
Kerwin, Dr Joseph Peter (1932-) American physician astronaut. Flew on Skylab 2. Member of first successful space station mission.
SpaceX Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. 30.7 kN. Upper stages. Hardware. Isp=320s. Pintle architecture, designed to be a high efficiency, low pressure vacuum engine. Fed only by tank pressure, ablatively cooled First flight 2006.
Kettler German Manager. Operations director of the Mittelwerk.
Kety.
Kety, Seymour S (1915-2000) American physician, chair of NASA's bioscience advisory committee in 1959.
Rocketdyne N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 0.029 kN. Kinetic Energy Propulsion (7 Ib thrust). Pressure-fed. ASAT Strap-down test, XSS / DICE Microsatellite, GBI Ground-Based Interceptor, THAAD Theater High Altitude Area Defense. Isp=266s.
Rocketdyne N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 0.215 kN. Kinetic Energy Propulsion (50 Ib thrust). Pressure-fed. ASAT Strap-down test, XSS / DICE Microsatellite, GBI Ground-Based Interceptor, THAAD Theater High Altitude Area Defense. Isp=275s.
Rocketdyne N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 0.441 kN. Kinetic Energy Propulsion (100 Ib thrust). Pressure-fed. ASAT Strap-down test, XSS / DICE Microsatellite, GBI Ground-Based Interceptor, THAAD Theater High Altitude Area Defense. Isp=283s.
Rocketdyne N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 2.216 kN. Kinetic Energy Propulsion (500 Ib thrust). Pressure-fed. ASAT Strap-down test, XSS / DICE Microsatellite, GBI Ground-Based Interceptor, THAAD Theater High Altitude Area Defense. Isp=235s.
In 1962 the University of Michigan proposed a launch site near the center of the North American continent. This would fill in a gap in the US Army's Meteorological Rocket Network. Following a survey of available sites a location on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior was selected. The site was in use from 1964-1971.
Key Meetings in Soviet Spaceflight.
The key meetings, the main decisions that led to the Soviet loss of the moon race and shuttle race.
Keyworth, George A (1939-) American physicist, science advisor to President Reagan 1981-1986, former head of Los Alamos laboratory. Played key role in 'star wars' development controversy.
kg.
kilograms (SI abbreviation)
KGB.
Russian agency.
KGB.
Committee for State Security (Russian abbreviation)
KGB Dwarf (-1971) Russian phantom cosmonaut. Moscow urban legend of 1970: diminutive robot Lunokhod crawler was actually driven by a midget KGB agent on a one-way suicide mission to the lunar surface.
KH-.
Key Hole
KH-1.
American military surveillance satellite. 22 launches, 1959.01.21 (Thor Agena test) to 1960.09.13 (Discoverer 15). First US film reconnaissance satellite, and first polar orbiting satellite.
Russian air-to-surface missile. Chelomei mobile-launched version of V-1
Russian air-to-surface missile. Chelomei mobile-launched version of V-1
American military surveillance satellite. 9 launches, 1976.12.19 (KH-11 no. 1) to 1988.11.06 (USA 33). Also known as Kennan, Program 1010. Used systems developed for KH-10 Manned Orbiting Laboratory.
KH-11B.
Manufacturer's designation for Improved Crystal military surveillance satellite.
KH-12.
Alternate designation for Improved Crystal military surveillance satellite.
KH-2.
American military surveillance satellite. 10 launches, 1960.10.26 (SRV 506) to 1961.08.04 (SRV 512). Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried one 'C-Prime' panoramic camera, with a focal length of 61 cm and a ground resolution of 9 m.
KH-3.
American military surveillance satellite. 12 launches, 1961.08.30 (Discoverer 29) to 1962.01.13 (SRV 571). Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried one 'C-Double Prime' panoramic camera, with a focal length of 61 cm and a ground resolution of 7.6 m.
KH-4.
American military surveillance satellite. 31 launches, 1962.02.27 (Discoverer 38) to 1963.12.21 (KH-4 9062). Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried two 'Mural' panoramic cameras, with a focal length of 61 cm, and a ground resolution of 7.6 m.
American military surveillance satellite. 70 launches, 1963.08.25 (KH-4A 1001) to 1969.09.22 (SRV 743R). Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried two 'J-1' panoramic cameras, with a focal length of 61 cm, and a ground resolution of 2.7 m.
American military surveillance satellite. 24 launches, 1967.09.15 (KH-4B 1101) to 1972.05.25 (KH-4B 1117). Early US reconnaissance satellite. Carried two 'J-3' panoramic cameras, with a focal length of 61 cm, and a ground resolution of 1.8 m.
KH-5.
American military surveillance satellite. 16 launches, 1961.02.17 (Discoverer 20) to 1964.08.21 (KH-5 9066A). US mapping satellite. Carried one frame camera, with a focal length of 76 mm, and a ground resolution of 140 m.
KH-6.
American military surveillance satellite. 3 launches, 1963.03.18 (KH-6 8001) to 1963.07.31 (KH 4A-07). US reconnaissance satellite, lashed together to meet an emergency requirement for close-up imaging of a suspected Soviet ICBM site near Tallinn.
KH-7.
American military surveillance satellite. 43 launches, 1963.07.12 (KH 7-01 (Gambit)) to 1967.06.04 (KH 7-38). US reconnaissance satellite. Still classified. Camera believed to have ground resolution of 0.46 m. Film returned in two capsules.
KH-8.
American military surveillance satellite. 61 launches, 1966.07.29 (OPS 3014) to 1984.04.17 (OPS 8424). Longest-lived and last US film-return reconnaissance satellite. Ground resolution 0.5 m. Film returned in two capsules. Typical life 50 days.
KH-9.
American military surveillance satellite. 26 launches, 1971.06.15 (KH-9 no. 01 (Big Bird)) to 1986.04.18 (SRV-4). Popularly known as 'Big Bird'. Titan 3C-class film-return reconnaissance satellite.
bin Khaleed, Dr Faiz (1980-) Malaysian physician cosmonaut, 2006-2007. Backup to first Malaysian in space.
Khatami Air Base, located northeast of Isfahan, is a dual military/civilian facility, also known as Isfahan Shahid International Airport. Two tactical fighter squadrons are based there. Aerospace manufacturing and test facilities were being built there prior to the 1979 Iranian revolution by by Bell, Northrop, and Grumman. In the decades thereafter these were developed into aircraft overhaul and repair facilities. Manufacturing and research were accomplished by the Iranian military at Khatami in collaboration with the University of Isfahan, which designed most of Iran's remote piloted vehicles. It was believed the Iran-140 tactical rocket was manufacturered here.
Khatulev, Vladimir Aleksandrovich (1947-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1973-1980. Civilian Engineer, Chelomei OKB
Soviet arctic sounding rocket launch site, known to have been used for 1950 launches from 1957 to 1990, reaching up to 200 kilometers altitude.
Krenkel Polar Station, Kheysa Island
Khludeyev, Yevgeni Nikolayevich (1940-1995) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1965-1988. Graduated from Kiev AF Academy of Engineering,1962. Cosmonaut training November 1965 - December 1967. Worked as research scientist at the Gagarin Center. Involved in the Buran program from 1986 - 1988. Died of a heart attack.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1960-1993, equipped with 90 light ICBM silos (UR-100/UR-100N) and possibly operating some R-12 launchers. In the 1950's this was the base for units deployed with two R-1 launchers.
Khokhlov, Nikolai Dmitriyevich Russian bureaucrat. Deputy Minister of General Machine Building 1965-1983. Responsible for quality control.
Turbo-ramjet powered rocket launch aircraft. Loaded mass 550,000 kg. Mikoyan supersonic cargo aircraft, designed from Sprial 50-50 design. Combined-cycle turbo-ramjet engine. Release conditions: Piggy-back, 200,000 kg, Mach 5 at 25 to 30 km altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 1130 m/s.
Khomyakov, Mikhail Stepanovich Russian engineer. Deputy General Designer of NPO Energia. At Korolev design bureau, he was lead designer for Sputnik.
Khristianovich, Sergei Aleksandrovich (1908-) Russian scientist. Specialised in ICBMs at TsAGI 1942-1953 From 1953 worked at the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
Khrunichev, Mikhail Vasilyevich (1901-1961) Russian bureaucrat. Minister of Aviation Industries 1946-1953. Later in Gosplan.
Khrunichev Engineer Group - 1997.
Requirement: engineer for flights to Mir.
Khrunov, Yevgeni Vassilyevich (1933-2000) Russian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Soyuz 4/5. Member of first crew to transfer between spacecraft.
Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeyevich (1894-1971) Russian politician. Leader of the USSR from 1956 to 1964.
Khrushchev, Sergei Nikitich (1934-) Russian engineer. Deputy Department Chief 1958-1968 of Chelomei design bureau. Son of Nikita Khrushchev.
KIar.
KIar German rocket technician and engineer in WW2; later worked in France as part of the structures group at LRBA from 1946 to 1955.
Kieffer German rocket technician and engineer in WW2; later worked in France as head of the ballistics group at LRBA from 1947 to 1949. Then returned to Germany.
Kiev.
Base for units deployed with six R-5 launchers.
KIK.
Command-Tracking Complex (Russian abbreviation)
Kikuchi, Ryoko (1964-) Japanese journalist cosmonaut, 1989-1990. Graduated from the University of Tokyo in Chinese language Journalist, Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation. Reporter for world news with TBS, reporting from Moscow and then again from Tokyo.
Killian, James R (1904-1988) American scientist, president of MIT 1949-1965, served as Eisenhower's science advisor 1957-1959 in order to establish a national response to the Sputnik launch by the Soviet Union.
Still-Kilrain, Susan Leigh (1961-) Jewish-American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-83, STS-94. US Navy test pilot.
Kimball, Dan Able (1896-1970) American businessman, Vice President of Sales at General Tire, before becoming Head of Aerojet, 1944-1969, transforming it from an undisciplined group of rocket enthusiasts to the second largest US rocket engine manufacturer.
Kimbrough, Robert Shane (1967-) American engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-126. US Army
Kimotsuki.
Alternate name for Kagoshima launch site.
Kincheloe, Iven Carl (1928-1958) American test pilot, 1956-1958. Grew up Cassopolis, Michigan, son of an automotive engineer. Flew the X-2; killed in an F-104 crash, when it flamed out after take-off.
Kindelberger, James H 'Dutch' (1895-1962) President, North American Aviation, 1934-1948; Chairman, CEO 1948-1960. Under his leadership NAA became the leading US supplier of fighters (P-51, F-86, F-100), high speed craft (Navaho, X-15, B-70), inertial navigation, and rocket engines.
Weather rocket launch site, known to have been used for 21 launches from 1962 to 1971, reaching up to 90 kilometers altitude.
Deacon, Arcas launch complex. Kindley AFB, Coopers Island
KIP.
Command and Tracking System
Japanese communications satellite. One launch, 2005.08.23. Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite. Its laser communications experiment was be used in with ESA's Artemis geostationary satellite.
Kirgiz AF.
Requirement: pilots from Kyrygyzstan to visit Mir space station for propaganda purposes on Soyuz ferry-exchange mission.
Requirement: pilots from Kyrygyzstan to visit Mir space station for propaganda purposes on Soyuz ferry-exchange mission.
Kirillin, Vladimir Alekseyevich (1913-1999) Russian physicist, Deputy Chairmen of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology 1965-1980.
Kirillov, Anatoli Semenovich (1924-1987) Russian officer. Chief of the First Directorate of Baikonur 1960-1967.
Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Pacific Ocean was originally selected by Von Braun in his Collier magazine series of the early 1950's as an ideal equatorial launch site. A half century later, Boeing Sea Launch used an offshore location for orbital launches. The launch platform was a seagoing converted Norwegian offshore oil rig. Between missions it was berthed in Long Beach, California. It was towed to a location off Kiritimati for launches of the Ukrainian Zenit-3 launch vehicle.
The sounding rocket launch site at Kiruna was officially opened in September 1966 under the auspices of ESRO (European Space Research Organisation). When ESA was created in 1972 and replaced ESRO, Kiruna came under the management of the Swedish Space Corporation, a state-owned limited liability company under the Swedish Ministry of Industry. The 'Esrange' is located 45 km from the town of Kiruna and has seven permanent pads able to launch the largest sounding rockets, including the Black Brant 9, Skylark 12, and Castor 4B-boosted vehicles.
Aries launch complex. Aries launcher
Belier launch complex. Centaure launcher
Super Loki Pad
Black Brant launch complex. MRL Launcher
Nike launcher
Skylark launch complex. Skylark Tower
KIS.
Command-Tracking System
Kiselyov, Dr Aleksandr Alekseyevich (1934-) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1965-1966.
PRI solid rocket engine. 21 kN.
American sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kisha + 1 x Judi III
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 100 kg. Thrust 21.00 kN.
Solid rocket stage. 9.00 kN (2,023 lbf) thrust.
Kissinger, Henry A (1923-) Jewish American academic, US National Security Assistant, 1969-1973; Secretary of State, 1973-1977. Pursued detente with Soviet Union, leading to missile reductions, ABM/ASAT agreements, and Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
Kistiakowsky, George B (1900-1982) American chemist, associated with the development of the atomic bomb, and later an advocate of banning nuclear weapons.
American manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Kistler, USA.
American low-cost orbital launch vehicle. The Kistler K-1 was a reusable two-stage launch vehicle developed by a prestigious team of ex-Apollo managers, designed originally for launch of Iridium-class communications satellites to medium altitude earth orbit. Kistler began development but had to file for Chapter 11 protection before detailed hardware fabrication was completed. It emerged from bankruptcy in 2005, and merged with suborbital startup Rocketplane to form Rocketplane Kistler. On 8 November 2006, it was announced that Alliant Techsystems, as lead contractor, would complete the K-1 launch vehicle, with Rocketplane Kistler as a subcontractor, under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.
American space tug. Study 2012. The Kistler reusable launch vehicle concept included a reusable, recoverable second stage, dubbed the 'Orbital Vehicle', with an integral cargo module.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 250,000/20,500 kg. Thrust 5,049.40 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 331 seconds. Stage burns for 35 seconds to place itself on return-to-launch-site trajectory for recovery. Therefore to calculate performance 12,400 kg propellants for flight back to launch site should be added to empty mass. Empty mass also includes six parachutes, landing bags, and is calculated, based by apportioning total vehicle empty mass.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 131,000/13,100 kg. Thrust 1,769.10 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 348 seconds. Empty mass includes payload bay, heat shield, parachutes, and landing bag for recovery at base. Empty mass calculated based by apportioning total vehicle empty mass.
Kisunko, Grigoriy Vasilyevich (1918-1998) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer and General Designer 1953-1975 of KB-1 and later of OKB-30. Led work on early anti-ballistic missiles and ASATs.
South Korean technology satellite. 2 launches, 1993.09.26 (Oscar 23) to 1999.05.26 (Kitsat-3). South Korean indigenous 50-kg-class small satellite series, developed originally with technology transfer from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
Kittaeryong.
Alternate name for Gitdaeryung launch site.
American manned spaceplane. Study 2004. X-Prize suborbital rocketplane concept of Kittyhawk of Oroville, Washington.
American sounding rocket developed to measure winds aloft in support of nuclear tests.
American manufacturer of spacecraft. Kittyhawk, USA.
RPI solid rocket engine. 27 kN.
American sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Kiva + 1 x Hopi
Solid rocket stage. 27.00 kN (6,070 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 18.00 kN (4,047 lbf) thrust. Mass 30 kg (66 lb).
Kiwi.
Ground-test reactor for nuclear propulsion research .
Kizim, Leonid Denisovich (1941-2010) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Salyut 6 EO-5, Salyut 7 EO-3, Mir EO-1. Member of first crew to fly between two space stations during a single mission. 374 cumulative days in space.
Kizlitsyn, N G Russian military officer.
Japanese communications satellite. One launch, 2008.02.23.
KK.
Russian manned Mars expedition. Study 1966. Work on the TMK project continued, including trajectory trade-off studies and refinement of the design.
Russian pressure suit, operational 1989. Protective partial pressure suit was used by pilots of Russian high-performance combat aircraft. It featured better performance and G-protection than earlier models .
Russian pressure suit, operational 1955. The KKO-3 was the first mass-produced Soviet partial pressure suit. It was very similar to the US MC-3 of the same period.
Russian pressure suit, operational 1961. The KKO-5 partial pressure suit was introduced for pilots of Mach 2 aircraft such as the MiG-21 and Su-9 at the beginning of the 1960's. It represented the largest production run of any pressure suit model.
KKS.
Japanese military surveillance radar satellite. One launch, 2009.01.23. Picosatellite built by Kouku-kosen, the Tokyo Metropolitan College of Aeronautical Engineering, carrying an Earth imager.
KL.
Lunar Spacecraft (Russian abbreviation)
Klaus, Ernst E (1914-1986) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Russian manned lunar base. Chelomei's design for a lunar base, studied 1964 to 1974 as a UR-700-launched predecessor or alternative to Barmin's DLB.
Klein, Johann (1915-) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Kleinwaechter, Hans German engineer in WW2; later worked in Egypt 1960-1963.
Kliewe, H German expert in biological warfare during World War II. As of January 1947, working at an unknown location under Project Dustbin.
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. Klimov, Russia.
Klimuk, Pyotr Ilyich (1942-) Belarusian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Soyuz 13, Soyuz 18, Salyut 6 EP-3.
Klinger, Walter German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Frankfurt/M.
Russian manned spaceplane. Study 2004. The Kliper manned spacecraft replacement for Soyuz was first announced at a Moscow news conference on 17 February 2004.
Klippel, Alfred (1917-) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the Soviet Union, worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's design bureau from 1947 to 1952. Worked in Electrical Circuits; Shop 55.
Klyushnikova, Dr Olga Nikolayevna (1953-) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1979-1986. Civilian Physician, Institute of Medical Biological Problems. Cosmonaut training from October 1979 - July 1980. Did not complete training, when the government commission did not confirm his selection.
km.
kilometer(s)
KM-D.
Nissan solid rocket engine.
KM-H.
Solid rocket stage. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
KM-H.
Nissan solid rocket engine.
KMV.
Mars Venus Spacecraft (Russian abbreviation)
Knack, Wilhelm (1903-) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the Soviet Union, worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's design bureau from 1947 to 1952. Worked in Manufacturing; Dept. 61/Shop 55.
Knauer, Otto German expert in rocket designer during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Hamburg, Harburg, Bethmstr. 6.
Knight, William Joseph 'Pete' (1929-2004) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on X-15 Flight 190.
Russian agency. KNITs, Russia.
Knittel, Heinz (1919-) German precision mechanic, in the rocket team in Russia. Worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's bureau 1947-1952 in the Test Bench and Laboratory Departments. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946.
Knopow, Joseph J American engineer, at Lockheed in the 1950s developed the infrared radiometer, used to track and target aircraft and missiles.
Ko San (1976-) Korean scientist cosmonaut, 2006-2008.
Kobalt.
Code name for Yantar-4K2 military surveillance satellite.
American manufacturer. Kodak, USA.
Kodama.
Alternate designation for DRTS communications satellite.
In January 1998, the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation began building a commercial spaceport at Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island, about 400 km south of Anchorage and 40 km southwest of the City of Kodiak. Kodiak Island was advertised as one of the best locations in the world for polar launch operations, providing a wide launch azimuth and unobstructed downrange flight path.
Koelle, Prof. Dr-Ing Heinz-Hermann (1925-) Visionary German-American engineer, worked at Huntsville as Director of Future Projects for von Braun 1955-1965. Headed Lunex moon base project; key role in engine selection for Saturn. Taught in Germany at TUB after 1965. Advocate of SSTO.
Koellner, Eberhard 'Eb' (1939-) German pilot cosmonaut, 1976-1978.
Koenig (-1969) German rocket technician in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA from 1947 in the test stand group. Died in 1969.
Koenig, Rudi German V-2 test engineer during World War II. As of January 1947, living at living in Frankfurt/M c/o Dr. P. Schloechter, Niederbeerbach, Darmstadt, Obergasse 2.
Koestner, Karl German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, working "c/o Klinger", British Zone.
Kohl.
Kohl German rocket technician; later worked in France as part of armature group at LRBA from 1947.
Submarine-launched ballistic missile launch area known to have been used for 3 launches in 1961, reaching up to 150 kilometers altitude.
Kolesnikov, Gennadi Mikhailovich (1936-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1965-1967.
Russian earth seismology satellite. Study 1998. The Kolibor microsatellite platform of KB Arsenal was a universal development of that designed for the Predvestnik earthquake monitoring system.
Russian technology satellite. One launch, 2002.03.19. Kolibri was a joint Russian-Australian educational project to allow school children to monitor low frequency waves and particle fluxes in low orbit.
Kollert, Wilhelm German expert in rockets during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Eschwege c/o Dipl. Ing. Drause, Ottostr..
Kolodin, Pyotr Ivanovich (1930-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1963-1983.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1960-1990. In the 1950's it was a base for units deployed with two R-2 launchers. Probably during the period as an RVSN division it operated R-12 missiles.
Kolomiytsev, Ordinard Panteleymonovich (1933-) Russian scientist cosmonaut, 1967-1968.
Russian military target satellite. One launch, 1986.10.22, Cosmos 1786. Calibration mission. Tentatively identified as third generation replacement for Taifun-2, perhaps to have been launched by the Tsyklon 3 launch vehicle.
Ukrainian intercontinental ballistic missile. Koltso was a Yuzhnoye advanced ICBM, subject of decrees of 29 September 1976 and 31 May 1984. Development was authorised by the project was cancelled after the collapse of the ICBM.
Komarov, Vladimir Mikhailovich (1927-1967) Russian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Voskhod 1, Soyuz 1. First person to die during spaceflight when the parachute lines of Soyuz 1 tangled and it crashed to earth. Cosmonaut training March 1960 - 3 April 1961. Call sign: Rubin (Ruby).
TsNPO Kometa, Moskva, Russia
Kometa.
Manufacturer's designation for Yantar-1KFT military surveillance satellite.
Russian earth seismology satellite. 2 launches, 2001.12.10 (Kompas) and 2006.05.26 (Kompas).
South Korean communications technology satellite. One launch, 1999.12.21. KOMPSAT was the first joint spacecraft development project for the South Korean aerospace agency KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute).
South Korean civilian surveillance satellite. One launch, 2006.07.28, Kompsat 2.
Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russian newspaper.
Kondakova, Yelena Vladimirovna (1957-) Russian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on Mir EO-17, STS-84. Engineer, first Russian woman to fly in space for other than propaganda reasons. Was married to astronaut Valeriy Ryumin. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO
Russian communications satellite. Study 1997. The Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center (including the Salyut Design Bureau), proposed the Kondor communications system for mobile users.
Kondratiyev, Dmitry Yuriyevich (1969-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1997-on.
Norwegian manufacturer. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Norway.
Kononenko, Oleg Grigoryevich (1938-1980) Russian test pilot cosmonaut, 1980-1980. Graduated from Zhukovsky Air Force Institute, 1975 Civilian test pilot. Cosmonaut training December 1978 - July 1980.
Kononenko, Oleg Dmitriyevich (1964-) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on ISS EO-17.
Konopalev, Boris Mikhailovich (1912-1960) Russian engineer. Specialised in guidance at Nll-885, Nll-695, and OKB-692. Died in the Nedelin catastrophe.
Konopatov, Aleksandr Dmitriyevich (1922-) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer 1965-1993 of the Kosberg design bureau. Led work on rocket engines.
Konrad, John Harrison (1949-) American engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1984-1988. Systems engineer and fluid mechanics specialist at Hughes Aircraft.
Konsberg Vaapenfabrik.
First Owner of Kongsberg
Kontogiannis, George (1965-) American engineer, lead for the Titan 4/Centaur and Atlas V.
Russian gamma ray astronomy satellite. Study 1995. The Konus-A scientific satellite was developed in 1995-1997 for the Russian Academy of Science and flown as Cosmos 2326.
Russian communications satellite. Study 1995. The Elas Scientific Production Association was a principal participant in the proposed Kuryer communications system of Konvert spacecraft.
Konyukhov, Stanislav Nikolayevich Ukrainian chief designer. General Designer and Chief of KB Yuzhnoye, developed satellites and launch vehicles. Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Australian sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Lupus + 1 x Musca
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 100 kg.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Thrust 10.00 kN.
Kopra, Timothy Lennart (1963-) American engineer mission specialist astronaut, 2000-on. US Army
Koptev, Yuri N (1940-) Russian engineer, headed spacecraft design at Lavochkin 1965-1992, including ambitious generation of lunar and planetary probes. General Director of the Russian Space Agency 1992-2004.
Ukrainian intercontinental ballistic missile. Kopye-R was a Yuzhnoye advanced ICBM, subject of a draft project completed in February 1986. Development was authorised by the project was cancelled after the collapse of the ICBM.
KORD.
Engine Operation Control (system) (Russian abbreviation). Normally refers to the elaborate automatic system on the N1 booster that would monitor engine health, shut down any failing engine and its opposite number, allowing continued operation of the cluster until the required stage performance was reached.
Korea
Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite.
Alternate designation for KOMPSAT communications technology satellite.
Korea North
Korea Sounding Rocket-I.
Manufacturer's designation for KSR-I sounding rocket.
Korea Sounding Rocket-II.
Manufacturer's designation for KSR-II sounding rocket.
Korea Sounding Rocket-III.
Manufacturer's designation for KSR-III sounding rocket.
South Korea became familiar with large-scale rocketry through maintenance and modification activities on American-supplied Honest John and Nike Hercules tactical missiles. By the 1990's Korea had developed an independent capability to manufacture solid propellant rocket motors of up to one tonne mass. In 1990 KARI was funded to build the first indigenous sounding rockets, flown as the KSR-I and KSR-II. In December 1997 KARI was allowed to proceed with development of liquid oxygen/kerosene rocket motor for an orbital launcher, but this was abandoned when the South Korean government decided it wanted to be among the top ten spacefaring nations by 2015. The existing program was too limited in growth potential to allow that. Therefore it was decided to leapfrog the technology by contracting with Russian companies. First launch of the KSLV-I launch vehicle from the new space centre took place in 2010.
Korea Space Launch Vehicle-I.
Manufacturer's designation for KSLV-I and KSLV-I 2002 orbital launch vehicles.
Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II.
Manufacturer's designation for KSLV-II orbital launch vehicle.
Korea Space Launch Vehicle-III.
Manufacturer's designation for KSLV-III orbital launch vehicle.
Dem. People's Republic of Korea (Chongon)
American surface-to-air missile. South Korea displayed a modification of the Nike Hercules with a new monolithic single-engine solid propellant stage of South Korean manufacture. The modification was believed to also have guidance changes allowing it to serve as a surface-to-surface missile.
Korean Peoples Army.
Korean communications satellite network.
Korea Telecom, Seoul, Korea South
Korneyev, Ivan Ivanovich (1916-) Russian officer. Major General, Chief of 4 NII MO and 50 TsNII KS from 1970-1975.
Korniyenko, Mikhail Borisovich (1960-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1998-on. Graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute, 1987 Worked as an engineer at KBOM, then transferred to RKKE. Cosmonaut training completed November 19, 1999.
Russian manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and rocket engines. Korolev Design Bureau, Kaliningrad, Russia.
Korolev, Sergei Pavlovich (1907-1966) Soviet Chief Designer, responsible for creating the first long range ballistic missiles, the first space launchers, the first artificial satellite, and putting the first man in space. After his premature death the Soviets lagged in space.
Russian manned rocketplane. Study 1938. Korolev was already sketching rocketplanes similar to the Me-163 before World War II. This was one concept from his sketchbook.
Korolev, Chelomei, and Glushko - A Work In Progress.
Unfinished story on the struggle between the Russian chief designers.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 371 launches from 1966 to 1989, reaching up to 114 kilometers altitude.
Arcas launch complex.
Arcas launch complex. Beach launch area
Korund.
Code name for Molniya-1T military communications satellite.
Korzun, Valeri Grigoryevich (1953-) Russian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Mir EO-22, ISS EO-5. 381 cumulative days in space. Call sign: Fregat (Frigate).
KOS.
Quantum-optical system (Russian abbreviation)
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. Kosberg Design Bureau, Russia.
Kosberg, Semyon Ariyevich (1903-1965) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer 1941-1965 of OKB-154. Led work on engines for ICBMs and launchers.
Family of spacecraft.
Russian Mars orbiter. Cancelled 1965. Beginning in the late 1950's, Chelomei began studying use of his encapsulated cruise missile technology for spacecraft. A whole family of unmanned spacecraft, dubbed Kosmoplans, would be built using modular elements.
Kosmos 1.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 65S3 orbital launch vehicle.
Ukrainian orbital launch vehicle. Series production version of satellite launcher based on Yangel R-12 IRBM. Succeeded 63S1M prototype from 1965, using same 'Dvina' launch complex. From March 16, 1967 orbital launches from Plesetsk were from the purpose-built 'Raduga' launch complex LC133. Total of 123 launches, of which 8 were failures.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Initial serial production version was the Kosmos-3, built at the Krasnoryarsk Machine Factory. Flew only four times, with two failures, before being succeeded by the modernized production version under the responsibility of NPO Polyot.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Definitive and prolific production version of satellite launcher based on Yangel R-14 IRBM. After further development at NPO Polyot (Omsk, Chief Designer A S Klinishkov), the modified Kosmos-3M added a restartable second stage with an orientation system. This booster was launched form two 'Cusovaya' launch complexes from 1967. The second stage used low thrust rockets using gas generator output to adjust the final velocity of the stage
In 1960 the Soviet government decreed development of a lightweight launch vehicle for launch of payloads not requiring R-7 family of boosters. A modification of the R-12 IRBM was selected as the first stage; a new high-performance second stage was developed using a unique Lox/UDMH propellant combination. After two failures, the first successful flight was on March 16, 1962.
Ukrainian orbital launch vehicle. In 1960 the Soviet government decreed development of a lightweight launch vehicle for launch of payloads not requiring R-7 family of boosters. A modification of the R-12 IRBM was selected as the first stage; a new high-performance second stage was developed using a unique Lox/UDMH propellant combination. After two failures, the first successful flight was on March 16, 1962.
Kosmos 2I.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 63S1 and Kosmos 11K63 orbital launch vehicles.
Kosmos 2M.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 63S1M orbital launch vehicle.
Kosmos 3.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 11K65 orbital launch vehicle.
In 1961 Isayev and Reshetnev developed the Voskhod space launch system on the basis of the R-14 IRBM. The initial version of the two stage rocket was designated Kosmos-1. The first 'Voskhod' launch complex was at Baikonur, a modification of one of the pads at the R-16 ICBM launch complex 41.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. In 1961 Isayev and Reshetnev developed the Voskhod space launch system on the basis of the R-14 IRBM. The initial version of the two stage rocket was designated Kosmos-1. The first 'Voskhod' launch complex was at Baikonur, a modification of one of the pads at the R-16 ICBM launch complex 41.
Kosmos 3M.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 11K65M orbital launch vehicle.
Kosmos 3MP.
Alternate designation for Kosmos 65MP orbital launch vehicle.
Ukrainian orbital launch vehicle. The 63S1 initial production version was used through May 1966 for a total of 40 launches, of which 12 were failures. It was succeeded by the 63S1M prototype for the 11K63 production space launcher.
Ukrainian orbital launch vehicle. Modernized version of 63S1 initial configuration of the first Kosmos launcher and the prototype for the production 11K63 launch vehicle. Suborbital launches from Plesetsk from 1965 at from the modified R-12 silo 'Dvina'. Flown only a few times in 1965-1967. Succeeded by the 11K63 production model launched from the 'Raduga' complex.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Adaptation of 11K65M launcher for suborbital and single orbit test of subscale prototypes of Spiral and Buran manned spaceplanes (BOR-4 and BOR-5).
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Prototype of light satellite launcher using as a first stage the Yangel R-14 (8K65) IRBM. The protoype system was launched eight times before production was handed over to the Krasnoryarsk Machine Factory.
Nitric acid/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 39,515/3,150 kg. Thrust 730.50 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 264 seconds.
Nitric acid/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 87,200/5,300 kg. Thrust 1,740.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 292 seconds. Launch count 411 orbital and ca. 300 suborbital to end 1994. Failures based on proration of failures to orbit.
Kostenko, Sergei Valerievich (1963-) Russian businessman, cosmonaut training 2005, backup to Gregory Olsen for the space tourist seat on Soyuz TMA-7.
Kosters German Manager. Director of the Special Work Unit for A4 Transport.
Kostin, PaveI Ivanovich Soviet Engineer. Soviet rocket engineer
Russian manufacturer of rockets. Kostin Design Bureau, Korolev, Russia.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1961-present. Operated 90 light ICBM silos (UR-100). 60 of these were later converted to MR-UR-100. After these were retired 12 RT-23 mobile launchers were headquartered here.
Koszelak, Stanley Norbert Jr (1953-) American biologist payload specialist astronaut, 1989-1992.
Kotelnikov, Vladimir Aleksandrovich (1908-) Russian engineer. At OKB MEI 1947-1954 and then at the Institute of Radio Technology and Electronics.
Kotov, Oleg Valeriyevich (1965-) Russian physician cosmonaut. Flew on ISS EO-15, ISS EO-22. MD from Moscow Sergei M. Kirov Military Medicine Academy, 1980 . Russian Air Force. Worked in the TsPK, medical department. Cosmonaut training 3 June 1996 - 18 March 1998.
After the agreement with newly independent Algeria for France to evacuate their launch sites in that country, a location near Biscarosse was selected for French missile testing. However since only launches westwards across the Bay of Biscay could be made from this site, it was unsuitable for France's Diamant orbital launch vehicle. After reviewing 14 potential sites, a location in the South American French colony of Guiana was selected. This would allow over-water launches to a tremendous range of possible orbital inclinations -- from -100.5 deg to 1.5 deg. Being near the equator, it would provide the maximum assist from the earth's rotation for launches into equatorial orbits. The decision was formalized in April 1964 and in July 1966 ELDO chose the site for future launches of the Europa II launch vehicle.
Veronique, Stromboli, Skua, Cajun, Belier, Arcas launch complex. Aire de Lancement Fusee-Sondes
Ensemble Veronique, Aire de Lancement Fusee-Sondes
Aire de Lancement CECLES
Diamant launch complex. Aire de Lancement Diamant
Europa, Cajun, Ariane launch complex. Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 1
Ariane launch complex. Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 2
Ariane 5 launch complex. Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3
Ensemble de Lancement Soyuz
Kovalyonok, Vladimir Vasilyevich (1942-) Belarusian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Soyuz 25, Salyut 6 EO-2, Salyut 6 EO-6.
Kovtunenko, Vyecheslav Mikhailovich (1921-1995) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer and General Designer of NPO Lavochkin 1977-1995. Kovtunenko started his career at the Yangel design bureau, where was responsible for satellite design.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1961-present. Originally R-9 ICBM launchers were controlled from here. Later 90 light ICBM silos (UR-100) were built. By the time of installation of the updated UR-100N only 70 silos remained operational.
Kozelsky, Vladimir Sergeyevich (1942-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1967-1983. Graduated from Kachinsk, 1963; Monino, 1981. Cosmonaut training 1967.05-1969.08.18. Later Deputy Mir Flight Director. Retired in 1992.
Kozeyev, Konstantin Mirovich (1967-) Russian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on ISS EP-2.
Russian manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Kozlov Central Specialized Design Bureau, Samara, Russia.
Kozlov, Dmitri Ilich (1919-) Russian Chief Designer. Lead Designer for the R-7 ICBM, then headed Samara bureau for production engineering for the Soyuz rocket, Zenit and Yantar reconnaisance satellites.
Kozlov, Frol Romanovich (1908-1965) Russian politician. Secretary of Central Committee for defence and space 1960-1963.
Kozlov, Vladimir Ivanovich (1945-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1970-1973. Graduated from Higher Air Force School of Pilots, 1968 Soviet Air Force parachutist. Left cosmonaut group due to medical problems. Served on Russian Air Force Staff. Retired as a Colonel on 6 March 1996.
KP.
Potassium perchlorate
KPNO.
American agency. Kitt Peak National Observatory, USA.
KPSS.
Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Russian abbreviation)
KR.
Russian intercontinental boost-glide missile. The KR (winged rocket) was a three-stage unmanned boost-glide missile developed at the Tupolev's OKB-156. Work began in 1957. Two alternates were considered for the first stage: a conventional liquid rocket or a special manned aircraft launcher. The second stage was a conventional rocket. The final winged stage included a propulsion section and nuclear warhead. The glider would cut-off at an altitude of 50 km and a velocity of 20,000 km/hr. Planned-over target speed was 7,000 km/hr at 30 km altitude. Work on the project continued only about a year before it was abandoned in favour of the more conventional Tu-123 supersonic cruise missile. The KR would have had a gross weight of 240 tonnes, and delivered a payload of 3 to 5 tonnes over a range of 9,000 to 12,000 km.
KR-500.
Manufacturer's designation for R-500 surface-to-air missile.
Kraehe German rocket technician during World War II; later worked in France as part of the armature group at LRBA 1947-1959; then worked with Saenger in Stuttgart, followed by a return to France and employment with ELDO, and then ESA, in Paris.
Kraft, Christopher C (1924-) American engineer at NASA 1945-1982, headed manned spaceflight mission control during Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects.
Kramarenko, Aleksandr Yakovlevich (1942-2002) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut, 1965-1969.
Kramer German rocket engineer in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA in the radio beam guidance group in the automated control loop department 1947-1952.
Kramer, Max German Engineer. Technical designer of the guided rocket bomb X4 during World War II. As of January 1947, working at Wright Field, Ohio.
Kranz American Engineer. Flight controller during Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.
Krasnyy Oktyabr Joint Stock Company.
Fourth Owner of Izotov
Kravtsov, Yuri Fedorovich (1924-1994) Russian officer. Lieutenant General, Chief of the Main Directorate for Space Units of the Ministry of Defence 1979-1980.
KRD-417.
Alternate designation for KTDU-417 Nitric acid-UDMH rocket engine.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 4.38 / 0.17 kN. Orbital propulsion for FGB-derived modules for Mir and ISS. In Production. Main and low-thrust mode. Operation of turbopump without chamber used to pump propellants into tanks from Progress tankers.
Dushkin Nitric acid/Solid hybrid rocket engine. Out of Production. The KRD-604 engine was developed in the late 1930s by OKB Dushkin. It was a combined (powder+liquid) engine, characterized by a new technical approach.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 18.8 kN. Luna Ye-8. Out of Production. Spacecraft maneuvering engine for ascent stage of Luna moon sample return missions. Isp=313s. First flight 1969.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 3.090 kN. Salyut 6, 7and Mir orbital propulsion maneuvering engine. In Production. Probably derived from engine of propulsion system KDU-426. Pressure fed engine.
Russian space suit, tested 1969. The Krechet spacesuit was designed by the Zvezda OKB for use on the lunar surface. It consisted of flexible limbs attached to a one-piece rigid body / helmet unit.
Kregel, Kevin Richard (1956-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-70, STS-78, STS-87, STS-99.
Kretschmer, Willi German expert in aerodynamics during World War II, working at the Walter Werke, Kiel. Moved by the British to Saenger's facility in Trauen in early 1946 to conduct rocket engine tests, which were completed on 16 June 1946.
Krichevsky, Sergei Vladimirovich (1955-) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut, 1989-1998.
Krieger, Robert L (1916-1990) American engineer, at NASA 1936-1981. Headed Wallops Island facility, 1948-1981. During his career there, Wallops launched thousands of test vehicles, including 19 satellites.
Kriegsmarine.
Krikalyov, Sergei Konstantinovich (1958-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, Energia NPO, 1985-2009. Flew on Mir EO-4, Mir LD-3, STS-60, STS-88, ISS EO-1, ISS EO-11. World record for total duration spent in space (803 days). First Russian to fly aboard an American spacecraft. Flew in space six times.
Krikun, Yuri Yuriyevich (1963-) Ukrainian journalist cosmonaut, 1990-1992. In 1997 unsuccessfully applied for the Ukrainian cosmonaut team.
Russian manned space station. One launch, 1990.05.31. Kristal was a dedicated zero-gravity materials and biological science research module for the Mir space station, launched in January 1990
Krivoshein, Nikolai Afansyevich Russian Chief Designer of TsKB Heavy Machine Industry, 1954-1976; designed much of the detailed pneumatic and hydraulic equipment for launch complexes and silos. From 1969 they were the lead design bureau for silo-mounted command points.
KRK.
Space Rocket Complex
Kroeger, Hermann German-American aviation engineer during WW2. Recruited by von Braun and moved to the US, becoming Deputy Director, Guidance and Control Division, Huntsville.
Kroll, Gustav (1914-2005) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 18 launches from 1961 to 1964, reaching up to 135 kilometers altitude.
Arcas launch complex. Jokkmokk (Vidsel)
Dushkin rocket engine. 98 kN. G-300. Developed 1955-62. Thrust variable 0.1 / 3.0 / 10 tf.
Soviet . One launch, 1979.06.28. 10 m diameter radio telescope. Attached to Salyut 6 docking hatch and deployed after separation of Progress from Mir.
Russian radio astronomy satellite. Study 1990. In collaboration with the European Space Agency, a 25 m diameter space radio telescope was studied for launch by Energia in 2001.
Krug.
Russian surface-to-air missile. Ramjet-powered long-range surface-to-air missile, deployed by the Soviet Union and its allies.
Krutsch, Otto German Luftwaffe Me-163 test pilot.
Krylov, Nikolai Ivanovich (1903-1972) Russian officer. Commander-in-Chief Strategic Missile Forces, 1963-1972. Opponent of piloted space programs.
Krylov, Boris Nikolayevich (1934-) Russian officer. Chief of Central Communications and Navigation Systems at GNITs KS Space Tracking Centre 1982-1992.
Krylov, Yuri Nikolayevich (1925-) Russian officer. Major General, Deputy for General Questions to the Chief, 50 TsNII KS military space research institute 1972-1973.
Kryukov, Sergei Sergeyevich (1918-) Russian chief designer. Deputy Chief Designer 1961-1965 of Korolev design bureau. Chief Designer 1971-1977 of Lavochkin design bureau.
KS.
GN Kosmicheskaya Svyaz, Moskva, Russia
KS.
Russian military orbital bombing system. Study 1988. To co-ordinate the actions of multiple space combat units, NPO Energia proposed in the 1980's a KS space station.
Glushko Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. Experimental. Development 1948. Subscale versions of a radical new engine design. This featured a flat-plate injector, cylindrical combustion chamber, and a 60 atmosphere chamber pressure.
KSC.
NASA John F Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
KSI.
Russian logistics spacecraft. Study 1977. Capsule designed to return film and data materials from the Almaz military space station.
KSLV.
South Korean launch vehicle family. Originally they were to be of completely indigenous design; but in 2005 it was announced that they would use the (in-development, unflown) Russian Angara booster module as the basis. The program, like that of the Angara, was subject to continuous funding shortages and schedule delays. In 2008 the Angara alternate was cancelled after Russia refused to transfer essential technologies and the total cost had increased from US$ 240 million to US$ 350 million. The Korean government went 'back to the drawing board'.
KSLV.
South Korean launch vehicle family. Originally they were to be of completely indigenous design; but in 2005 it was announced that they would use the (in-development, unflown) Russian Angara booster module as the basis. The program, like that of the Angara, was subject to continuous funding shortages and schedule delays. First launch 2009.08.25.
In 2005 it was announced that the KSLV-I would not fly until 2007. It was now a completely different vehicle, consisting of a first stage derived from the Russian Angara launch vehicle, and a solid propellant second stage of South Korean manufacture. First launch 2009.08.25.
South Korean orbital launch vehicle. In 2002 South Korea announced it was planning to develop a small satellite launch vehicle by 2005, based on technology flown on the KSR-III test vehicle. By 2005 this was replaced by a completely different design, based on the Russian Angara space booster.
South Korean launch vehicle, originally scheduled for first flight by 2010. Evidently it would have consisted of a Russian Angara first stage and a South Korean liquid-propellant second stage. In August 2006 it was reported in the Korean press that this launcher configuration was cancelled.
South Korean launch vehicle, to consist of a Russian Angara first stage, a South Korean liquid propellant second stage, and a South Korean solid propellant apogee kick motor. Scheduled for first flight by 2015. In August 2006 the Korean press reported that the first and second stages would both be Angara-UM modules... how this configuration would work (stacked versus parallel) was unclear.
KSR.
South Korean indigenous sounding and test rocket family, using solid rocket motors and a test vehicle with a liquid oxygen/kerosene motor. Further development of the latter into the KSLV satellite launch vehicle was abandoned in 2005 in favor of licensed Russian technology.
KSR.
South Korean indigenous sounding and test rocket family, using solid rocket motors and a test vehicle with a liquid oxygen/kerosene motor. Further development of the latter into the KSLV satellite launch vehicle was abandoned in 2005 in favor of licensed Russian technology.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 1,000/100 kg. Thrust 86.20 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 250 seconds. All values except thrust estimated.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 5,000/700 kg. Thrust 122.50 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 280 seconds. All values except thrust estimated.
Korean Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. In development. Launch thrust 122.5 kN. Pressure-fed indigenous design. First flight 2002.
First South Korean sounding rocket, an unguided single solid propellant stage vehicle. Development began in 1990 and the rocket was flown two times in 1993.
Two-stage South Korean sounding rocket, using two of the solid rocket motors developed for the KSR-I in tandem. Flown twice in 1997-1998.
South Korean sounding rocket. Test bed for development of an orbital launch vehicle, powered by the liquid oxygen/kerosene engine planned for the KSLV-I. However flown only once in 2002.
KSU.
Command and signal instrument (Russian abbreviation)
AO Kosmicheskaya Svyaz, Moskva, Russia
Quality Controls for Complex Problems (Russian abbreviation)
KT.
Family of all solid-propellant Chinese launch vehicles, using the DF-31 ICBM as the basis with new upper or lower stages to achieve a range of payload performances. Following two unsuccessful launches in 2002-2003, the project may have been abandoned.
KT.
Family of all solid-propellant Chinese launch vehicles, using the DF-31 ICBM as the basis with new upper or lower stages to achieve a range of payload performances. Following two unsuccessful launches in 2002-2003, the project may have been abandoned.
KT.
South Korean agency. Korea Technology, Korea South.
KT-.
KT-1.
Chinese all-solid orbital launch vehicle. China's first solid propellant orbital launch vehicle was derived from the first and second stages of the DF-31 ICBM with a new solid third stage. The vehicle was named Kaituozhe-1 (Explorer-1) and was capable of putting 100 kg into polar orbits.
Solid rocket stage.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 3,000 kg.
Shanxi solid rocket engine.
KT-2.
Intermediate all-solid propellant Chinese launch vehicle. Model first displayed at Wuzhai in the fall of 2002. Evidently consists of new large diameter first stage motor, topped by the first two stages of the basic KT-1 vehicle. All figures are rough estimates.
Heavy all-solid propellant Chinese launch vehicle. Model first displayed at Wuzhai in the fall of 2002. Consists of two parallel first-stage booster motors derived new the first stage motor of the KT-1, a larger-diameter core second stage motor like that of the KT-2, a new larger-diameter third stage motor, and an enormous new fairing. All figures are rough estimates.
KTB.
Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary (from German)
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 4.09 kN. Out of Production. Isp=280s. Soyuz, Salyut 4 maneuvering engine. KTDU-53 version in L-1 circumlunar spacecraft; KTDU-66 in Salyut 1 space station. Thrusts 4.09 kN main + 4.03 kN secondary. First flight 1966.
KTDU-414.
Manufacturer's designation of KDU-414 Nitric acid-UDMH rocket engine.
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine family. for Luna 15-24 descent stage.
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 18.920 kN. Luna 15-24 descent stage. Out of Production. Isp=314s. Comprised turbopump-fed high-thrust engine with plus KTDU-417-B low-thrust engine. Eleven ignitions for lunar orbit insertion and orbit corrections.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 3.430 kN. Luna 15-24 used this low thrust engine in system KTDU-417 for soft-landing on the moon. Out of Production. Isp=254s. Pressure-fed engine; could be throttled to 2.06 kN.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine family. Mars 2 and 3 maneuver engine
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 18.850 kN. Mars 2 and 3 maneuver engine. Out of Production. Pump-fed engine. Could be throttled to 7.05 kN / 9.5 MPa / 2850 m/s. . Chamber pressure 133,2 - 95 bar. Isp=312s.
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 18.890 kN. Mars 4-7, Venera 9-16, Vega 1-2, and Phobos 1-2 maneuvering engine. Out of Production. Could be throttled to 9.86/9.5/2870. Chamber pressure 149 - 95 bar. Isp=315s. First flight 1973.
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 4.089 kN. Zond 4-7 maneuvering engine. Out of Production. Spacecraft maneuvering engine, derivative of KTDU-35 without back-up engine. Isp=280s.
Isayev Nitric acid/Amine rocket engine. 45.5 kN. Used on Luna E-6 probes. Out of Production. Isp=287s. First turbopump engine with surface tension propellant management devices in tanks, allowing re-ignition in zero-G.
Isayev Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 4.090 kN. Out of Production. Isp=280s. Maneuvering engine for Salyut 1, derivative of KTDU-35. Longer burn time of 1000 s. Comprised single-chamber main engine plus dual-chamber back-up engine. Thrusts 4.09 + 4.03 kN
Isayev N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 6.190 kN. Soyuz TM, Progress M. In Production. Isp=326s. Propulsion system included 4 spherical tanks for a total of 880 kg propellant. Developed from NII Mash experimental thruster. 3 thrust levels by 4 valves.
KTel.
Korea Telecom, Korea South
Kuang Dingbo Chinese Engineer. Specialist in design of military and space infrared sensors.
Kub.
Mid-range integral rocket-ramjet Russian surface-to-air missile, widely deployed with Soviet forces and exported to 22 countries. The missile provided one of the great technological surprises in warfare in the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War.
Kubasov, Valeri Nikolayevich (1935-) Russian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on Soyuz 6, Soyuz 19 (ASTP), Salyut 6 EP-5. Flew in first docking mission between American and Soviet spacecraft. Missed two chances to be first engineer on a Soviet space station (Cosmos 557 and Soyuz 11).
Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Vladimirovich (1983-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 2010-on.
Kuenzel, Walter German expert in rocket fighter planes during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Walter, K.G., Berliner Buero Berlin West..
Kuers, Werner (1907-1983) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Kugno, Eduard Pavlovich (1935-1994) Ukrainian engineer cosmonaut, 1963-1964.
Kuipers, Andre (1958-) Dutch engineer cosmonaut, payload specialist astronaut. Flew on ISS Delta.
Japanese tether technology satellite. One launch, 2009.01.23. Also named STARS, a Kagawa University picosatellite demonstrating a tethered space robot. It consisted of two tethered box-shaped packages, dubbed Ku and Kai.
Kuklin, Anatoli Petrovich (1932-2006) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1963-1975. Left cosmonaut corps for medical reasons (heart problems) in July 1975 . Worked on the General Staff of the Soviet Air Force until retirement in 1987.
Kuleshova, Natalya Dmitriyevna (1956-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1980-1992. Graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute named after Grigori (Sergo) K. Ordzhonikidze, 1978. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO. From 1992 she worked as an engineer at NPO Energia, Department 292.
German Army firing range, on the rail line 46 km south of Berlin. The German Army conducted rocket firing tests here from 1930 to 1945, and von Braun's rocket team worked here at first while developing the V-2. Actual launches of the rockets, after the earliest tests, moved to Greifswalder Oie and then Peenemuende on the Baltic.
Kumulus was a single-stage sounding rocket developed by the German Rocket Society in the late 1950's. It could carry meteorological, postal, or biological payloads up to a speed of 750 m/s and an altitude of 20 km. All launches were made from Cuxhaven, and discontinued when the German government prohibited civilian rocket launches in June 1964. The propellant was developed by the DRG and fabricated at Liebenau Company for Production of Chemical Materials (GmbH zur Verwertung chemischer Erzeugnisse Liebenau).
Kunze, Heinz German Manager. Director of the A4 Special Unit.
Russian military communications satellite. One launch, 1997.11.12. Kupon was originally developed by Lavochkin for the third generation GKKRS (Global Space Command and Communications System). Other satellites in the network included Potok and Geizer.
Russian manufacturer of spacecraft. Kurchatov Design Bureau, Russia.
Kurchatov, Igor Vasilyevich (1903-1960) Russian scientist. Father of Soviet atomic bomb at KB-11. Managed development of first hydrogen bomb. Design coordinated with Korolev's design bureau for use on R-7 ICBM.
Kurilo Soviet Engineer. Soviet leader of German rocket technology transfer at Kleinbodungen.
Kursnniy, Igor Ivanovich (1938-) Russian officer. Lieutenant General, Head of the Political Directorate of GUKOS Space Forces, 1986-1991.
Kurushin, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich (1922-) Russian officer. Commander of Baikonur 1965-1973.
Kuryer.
Alternate designation for Konvert communications satellite.
Kurzweg, Hermann H (1908-2000) German-American aerodynamicist, at Peenemuende, then US Naval Ordnance 1946-1960, NASA 1960-1974.
Kutakhov, Pavel Stepanovich (1914-) Russian officer. Commander-in-Chief of Air Force 1969-1984. Succeeded Vershinin.
Kutzscher, E German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Kiel (British Zone of Occupation).
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. Kuznetsov Design Bureau, Russia.
Kuznetsov, Nikolai Dmitriyevich (1911-1995) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer and General Designer 1949-1994 of OKB-276.
Kuznetsov, Mikhail Fedorovich (1920-1979) Russian officer, Chief of third directorate of GUKOS 1970-1977. Forward air controller on Western Front in WW2. Entered Third Directorate GURVO in October 1960. Made great improvements in KIK space tracking system during his tenure.
Kuznetsov, Nikolai Fedorovich.
Kuznetsov, Nikolai Fedorovich (1916-2000) Russian officer. Commander of the Cosmonaut Training Centre 1963-1972.
Kuznetsov, Nikolai Nikolayevich.
Kuznetsov, Nikolai Nikolayevi (1903-1983) Russian officer. First Chief of the Interdepartmental Technical Commission in Germany 1945.
Kuznetsov, Viktor Ivanovich (1913-1991) Russian engineer. Chief Designer 1946-1989 of Nll-10 and NII-44. Specialised in missile and spaceship gyroscopes.
Kuznetsova, Tatyana Dmitryevna nee Pitskhelauri (1941-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1962-1969.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. The Kvant was the Soviet third generation light launch vehicle planned to replace the Kosmos and Tsyklon series. Unlike the vehicles it was to replace, the booster used non-toxic 'environmentally friendly' liquid oxygen/kerosene propellants. Although such a light launch vehicle was on Space Forces wish lists since 1972, full scale development was again deferred due to the crash effort on Soviet 'star wars' in the second half of the 1980's. RKK Energia marketed the vehicle design from 1994 to 2001, but could find no source for development funds.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 210,000/15,000 kg. Thrust 3,216.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 336 seconds. 4 11D121 verniers. Empty mass estimated.
The Kvant was the Soviet third generation light launch vehicle planned to replace the Kosmos and Tsyklon series. Unlike the vehicles it was to replace, the booster used non-toxic 'environmentally friendly' liquid oxygen/kerosene propellants. Although such a light launch vehicle was on Space Forces wish lists since 1972, full scale development was again deferred due to the crash effort on Soviet 'star wars' in the second half of the 1980's. RKK Energia marketed the vehicle design from 1994 to 2001, but could find no source for development funds.
Russian manned space station. One launch, 1987.03.31 (Kvant 1). The Kvant spacecraft represented the first use of a new kind of Soviet space station module, designated 37K.
Russian manned space station module. One launch, 1987.03.31 (Kvant 1). Space station module astrophysics.
Russian manned spacecraft module. One launch, 1987.03.31 (Kvant 1). Used only once, tug docked Kvant module to station, then separated and was commanded to destructive reentry over Pacific Ocean. Space station module tug.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. From 1996-2001 RSC Energia carried out design studies on the Kvant-1 light launch vehicle with a low earth orbit payload capability of 1.8 to 3.0 metric tons. Market surveys seemed to indicate a need for a new launch vehicle of this class but development funding was not forthcoming.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 74,000/7,000 kg. Thrust 1,102.20 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 335 seconds. 4 RD-0124-14D23 verniers. Empty mass estimated.
Russian manned space station. One launch, 1989.11.26, Kvant 2. Kvant-2 was a utility module launched to the Mir station. It provided an airlock, additional electric power, and additional gyrodynes for orienting the station.
Kvasova, Vera Russian engineer cosmonaut candidate, 1962. Selected as cosmonaut on 28 February 1962, but in March 1962 the selection was rejected by the government commission.
KVD-1, D-56.
Alternate designation for RD-56 Lox-LH2 rocket engine.
KVD-1M.
Alternate designation for RD-56M Lox-LH2 rocket engine.
KVD-1M LNG.
Alternate designation for RD-56M LNG Lox-LNG rocket engine.
KVR.
Russian agency. KVR, Russia.
KVRB.
Russian space tug. Study 1992. Upper stage / space tug - design 1992. High energy upper stage for Proton, never put into production.
KVTs.
Coordination-Computation Centre (Russian abbreviation)
kW.
kilowatts (SI abbreviation)
The US military base located on this Pacific island group has major tracking facilities and is near the impact area for dummy warheads fired by ICBM's from Vandenberg AFB. It is a key test location for anti-ballistic missile systems.
Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 1 launch in 2000, reaching up to 641.4927 kilometers altitude.
Sprint launch complex. Illegini Island
Kwajalein Atoll
Nike Zeus launch complex.
Minuteman, Sprint, Spartan, OBV, ERIS launch complex. Meck Island
Silo 1, Meck Island
Falcon launch complex. Omelek Island
Tomahawk Sandia, Terrier, Super Chief, Sergeant, Nike, Honest John, Cajun, Black Brant, Asp, DOT launch complex. Roi-Namur Island
Bucholz Army Airfield
North Korean communications technology satellite. One launch, 1998.08.31. Payload of the first attempted North Korean satellite launch.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyzhelnaya, Nadezda Vasilyevna (1962-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1994-2004. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO