Vostochny and Baikonur Cosmodromes Use the Radioelectronic Complexes of the University's Scientists

10:42, April 13, 2023

Ilya Obabkov told about the space developments by UrFU scientists

The UrFU Engineering School of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Control Systems develops control, transmission, reception and processing systems related to space objects. Ilya Obabkov, the Director of the Institute, told the TASS press conference about one of the main directions of science and education at the Institute and about scientific developments in the space sphere.

"A group of our scientists develops meteorological systems for aerological support of launches of rocket carriers and space rockets. The task of meteorological complexes is to provide reliable information about the state of the atmosphere at the time of making decisions about rocket launches. Our specialists develop aerological atmospheric sounding systems consisting of ground-based radar stations and balloon probes launched into the free atmosphere. We develop radars that allow direct measurement of atmospheric parameters without launching radiosondes," says Ilya Obabkov.

Aerological radiosondes provide the most accurate measurements. For example, wind strength and direction at altitudes up to 40 km, which is extremely important for reliable rocket launches. Designing and building such radars and radiosondes, and using them correctly under different operating conditions, is an extremely difficult and interesting task. It is also necessary to ensure reliable operation during the radiosonde's long flight and much more.  In addition, radiosonde systems provide national weather and climate forecasts.

The second direction of research and development of radiosondes is connected with the creation of radioelectronic complexes. They use classical methods of radiolocation to obtain information about the state of the atmosphere through reflections from meteorological inhomogeneities - fluctuations in the dielectric permittivity. This method makes it possible to obtain almost instantaneous information about the wind, which is very important when lifting the rocket to an altitude of 1-2 km in the initial stage.

"This is how clear-sky radars work: they automatically measure the environment: temperature, humidity, wind. This is real-time information. This is important at the moment when the Commission decides to launch. We have world-class developments in this area that are now in operation at the Baikonur and Vostochny cosmodromes. These systems were invented, developed and improved by researchers from our institute," says Ilya Obabkov.

The news article was translated by UrFU International Marketing Office. 
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