Renaissance rockets

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

So, it is common knowledge that rockets were launched into space in the sixties of the 20th century. Typical illustration stamp - Gagarin with flowers waving his hand affably. Prior to this, they were able to find combat use already in the Second World War. A picture pops up with roaring Katyushas, pouring fire on the German positions.

Further, the public consciousness rolls back two centuries at once, and we see colorful rocket fireworks at the Petrovsky balls. Then a dark dip for one and a half thousand years and, finally, there is a drawing in which the ancient Chinese invented these very fireworks and launched. And that's all.

However, the pattern of the phased leap forward development of rocketry, which was imposed on society, is very primitive and replete with open questions.

How historical facts differ from our ideas

The first thing that comes to mind is why rockets were used only for entertainment in the times of Peter the Great? After all, for the war, man has adapted everything that he could reach. So, for example, fighting sickles, flails for threshing grain (nunchucks) and even fighting rakes appeared. And here we have a high flight speed, decent range, impressive light and sound effects. How could they not have guessed to do this?

We ask a question and immediately the answer is found - they guessed it and easily fought with missiles, at least since the 17th century. How, didn't you know that? Well, let's be surprised together. Let's start with the 19th century in the direction of making the issue more ancient. Dahl's wonderful vocabulary says:

Like this! Already in the first half of the 19th century, when the dictionary was written, there is one in Russia. There are also battery and company combat missile units. There is also a specialty of rocket scientist. As the saying goes: "With a rocket salvo, from all installations, according to Napoleon pli-i-i !!!".

The names of the leading engineers who were improving rocketry at that time are also known - Alexander Zasyadko and Konstantin Konstantinov.

(Professor A. Kosmodemyansky)

It turns out that England at the beginning of the 19th century had such a weapon. The range of their missiles reached 2,700 meters, which is not bad at all. But the flight range of our missiles is simply amazing - 3000 … 6000 meters. This is a prohibitive range for the field and siege artillery of the time.

(i.e. we are talking, at least, about two-stage missiles, -.)

… (Wikipedia)

Much more details about the use of rocket weapons in the 19th century can be found in the book by Boris Lyapunov "Tales of missiles":

(Lyapunov B. V. "Stories about rockets", Printing house of Gosenergoizdat, Moscow, 1950)

Rocket antiquity

This is how the 19th century turned out to be rocketry. I think the skeptics have nothing to argue here. So let's dive into the older days:

(A Brief Guide to the Artillery Service, Section III, St. Petersburg, 1878).

It seems that it was only at the beginning of the 18th century that the beginning of the military use of rocket technology was marked, but then we find an overly developed rocket technology, and not at all in the "enlightened" west. Here's what he writes Y. Golovanov in his book "The Road to the Cosmodrome":

(Chapter 7. Fire arrows).

It turns out that in India 18th century there was a developed and numerous missile armament with a range of up to 1000 meters. The British, in their attempts to copy it, achieved half the range, and a completely unstable flight path. But it is clear that there must be a history of missile weapons and up to this point. It could not appear among the Indians at once in a finished and perfect form. And there is such a story. In particular, Golovanov reports the following:

(Chapter 7. Fire arrows).

So, 1516 year. The Zaporozhye Cossacks use firecrackers to organize confusion in the enemy's camp. But excuse me, these are no longer just firecrackers. These products. That is, these were rocket devices, complexly composed of many charges. This means that the assembly technology and the principles of operation were already known to them then.

Thus, the facts of the existence of rocket technologies all the time emerge even in the official history. And every time it is perceived as a historical incident. The mouth is already full of such incidents, and no one wants to draw conclusions.

Renaissance multistage combat missiles

Personally, I, an engineer familiar with modern rocketry, finished off the following information:

(Wikipedia. Kazimir Semenvich)

But this is a real problem for myth-makers. In the illustrations in this book, we see modern rockets. And this is direct evidence that the technologies of that time (or not long before that) made it possible to make rockets close in characteristics to modern solid-fuel ones, with the exception, perhaps, of a lower energy intensity.

Today, such rockets are equipped with smokeless powder, which is 1, 5 … 2 times more effective. The layout of the rocket reflects precisely the capabilities of the technology and the level of knowledge of the features of the flow of processes, at the time of its launch and flight.

In our case, there is a deadly fact - Semyonovich's missiles are equipped with NOZZLES or otherwise rocket JUZES.

The fact is that it is precisely the narrowing of the rocket nozzle that is the key element for accelerating the emitted gases. The correct shape of the nozzle allows obtaining high thrust properties of modern rocket engines:

(Lyapunov B. V. "Stories about rockets", Printing house of Gosenergoizdat, Moscow, 1950)

In the twentieth century, institutes were involved in the development of rocket nozzles. A lot of funds and talents have been devoted to this task. Again, in the designs of the 18th and 19th centuries, there is a complete misunderstanding of the role of this element. There was simply no nozzle there.

So where does Kazimir Semenvich, a native of White Russia, come from? 1600 years to know about such intricacies of gas dynamics? After all, in his manual for Renaissance rocket scientists, he drew exactly the geometry of the nozzles that is used and today.

Of course, it cannot be argued that the nozzles in his rockets accelerated the flow of gases to supersonic speed, since we do not know their exact dimensions. However, the fact that they were expertly manufactured and increased the efficiency of the rocket engine is beyond doubt.

A big mathematical incident is the use of the principle of a multistage multiple missile by the rocket designers of that time. Few people know that in Europe at that time our Vedic mathematics was not really known. We tried to somehow develop fragmentary knowledge inherited from our neighbors (from us). It turned out badly. So the principle of calculating the parameters of motion of a body with a variable mass (rocket) was first described in the framework of Western science only I. V. Meshchersky … These calculations of the late 19th century are still used today.

Tsiolkovsky's formula, who continued to develop the mathematical apparatus of rocketry, shows how the mass of the rocket itself is related to the mass of the fuel and its flight speed. Before him, no one had imagined this in detail. Therefore, in the 17th century, the very formulation of the question of dropping the excess mass of the rocket in the form of separating stages was impossible. Kazimir Semenovich in 1650 had no mathematical chances to successfully solve this problem.

At this very moment, when the complete impossibility of the existence of what really is has been proven, some desperate debaters begin to talk about intuition and the method of numerous trials and errors. Say, and there was no need to count on anything, so they did it by eye.

But think for yourself, for the artilleryman it is precisely mathematical accuracy that is important. And the more variable data (the number of steps), the less hope of getting anywhere. And if there is no method for calculating the flight range of a multistage missile, then it is better to make three smaller ones instead, but with a guarantee of hitting the target.

And as for the numerous trials, this is generally not serious. One multistage rocket consumes enough fuel for a good fight. Where to find patrons who would agree to spend endlessly on hundreds of trial runs. In general, whatever one may say, but within the framework of our ideas about the past, the existence of such missiles before the 20th century is impossible. And since they were, then we need to expand this framework.

Now let's summarize. Rockets of the 19th century did not have an effective tail, nozzle and split stages. They were equipped with the same black powder, but even so they had a stable range of about 3000 m, and occasionally reached 6000 m. The missiles described in the 17th century were devoid of these shortcomings. How far could they fly?

So, dear readers, I inform you that the missiles described by Kazimir Semenovich in 1650equipped with effective nozzles, having a modern layout, tail unit and using the principle of separation of stages, could be effective charge carriers over long distances in tens of kilometers … Such missiles could carry a warhead weighing more than 80 kg.

We can talk about this, bearing in mind the mention of some missiles of the 19th century, with all their imperfection, had a similar payload. One cannot but pay attention to the variety of constructions described by the author. This rich set of technical solutions indicates only one thing - about the long experience of using rocket technology in order to perform a wide range of tasks.

We will talk about these tasks, because rocketry is a delicate, costly and painstaking business. Without a special need, no one would do this.

Why would a crusader need a rocket?

An interesting question arises: "And what combat missions should a large three-stage missile with a range of about 10 … 15 km, in the 17th century perform?"

It is believed that the missiles were supposed to scare the enemy into complete panic and incontinence. But actually, the assumption is rather stupid, because the battle was attended by seasoned warriors, and not participants in gay parades. Panic is not typical for such people. And the sight of a man cut in half by a saber is much more demoralizing than whistling and burning pipes.

This could, of course, work in the first minute, if it were a rare unseen. However, numerous sources indicate that many people were already familiar with fireworks in the 17th century.

After all, the rockets were not scarecrows, but a real weapon. What damaging properties did it possess? First of all, incendiary and high-explosive. This can be explained very simply. It is contraindicated for a rocket to have a lot of weight. That is, it is of course heavy, but the bulk of the mass is fuel. The smaller part is the contents of the warhead. And the body itself and the walls of the warhead should be as lightweight as possible.

So it turns out that it was equipped with traditionally incendiary or explosive compositions. Explosive compositions, when ignited, create a shock wave. She is the damaging factor. Such charges are called land mines. They have not been used for a long time due to their low efficiency. High-explosive fragmentation ammunition is now used. They, in addition to the wave, create a cloud of damaging particles. Fragments are often obtained from the destruction of the massive walls of the ammunition. In a rocket, such a solution is of little use due to the weight of the structure.

In World War II, high-explosive ordnance was used to clear concrete shelters and firing points from earth embankments, before processing with concrete-piercing shells. That is, using rockets to break through the fortress walls is ineffective. Incendiary compositions are much more suitable here. This was their main application. However, short-range missiles are quite suitable for such purposes. A kilometer is enough. What about multistage?

The missiles have one more feature - extremely low hitting accuracy. Even today, unguided rockets are used primarily in multiple launch rocket systems, where the accuracy of each individual rocket is irrelevant. If it is necessary to organize fires behind the fortress walls, the accuracy is also enough, if only to fly over the wall.

But imagine that your rocket has a range of 10 kilometers. The fortress you want to get to is about one and a half kilometers in diameter. The estimated scattering spot, at best, will be about 3 kilometers in diameter. It's unrealistic to get in.

And there is no need to fire on the besieged city from such a distance. The artillery of the defenders does not shoot beyond a few hundred meters around the city. With such dispersion of long-range missiles, you can even miss an entire army.

Another point that complicates the use of long-range missiles in the 17th century is the lack of line of sight. Where to aim if the target is not visible? Now, when artillery works on targets up to 40 km away, there is reconnaissance and fire spotters. They are sent ahead, and communicate with the gunners over the radio or field telephone lines. How can such a thing be organized in the 17th century? Even arrows with notes and carrier pigeons are unlikely to help here - the efficiency is not the same.

Missiles - carriers of weapons of mass destruction

If you do not take into account the conquest of space, then rocket technology today has two main applications. Since the design and ballistics features have not undergone any special changes since the 17th century, we can say that such missiles occupied niches even then.

First application, these are light portable artillery systems for infantry, and together with them are recoilless weapons for installation on cars, light armored vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, etc. All this is due to the properties of recoilless launch of any (even massive) rocket projectile. For example, if we want to give our combat bike high firepower, then we put on it a small rocket launcher weighing 5 … 10 kilograms, and we get an analogue of a 100 … 200 kilogram firearm. You can shoot on the move, the cyclist will not be hurt.

The same can be said about the 17th century. Guns of comparable power at that time were definitely heavier at times, and therefore less mobile. Here the missiles clearly had a chance to firmly establish themselves. We assume in advance that in the 17th century there were no remote control technologies for a flying rocket. Therefore, we will not now consider it as a high-precision long-range weapon. Although today it is an important niche, firmly occupied by rocket technology. Let's move on to the last application.

Secondand the most important application is the ability to deliver over long distances weapons of mass destruction … If you are armed with a big terrible dirty trick, such as chemical, bacteriological and, of course, nuclear weapons, and this "gift" must be delivered to the area where the enemy's troops are concentrated, then only two means are possible - an airplane or a rocket. Moreover, the rocket is better, since it is more difficult to shoot it down due to its high speed and small size. In the case of a nuclear weapon, the pilot's defeat is excluded.

Only in this case, the accuracy of the hit does not matter. After all, weapons of mass destruction destroy the enemy over a large area of several square kilometers.

It is necessary to send such a "surprise" away from yourself, just about 10 kilometers. And then, no matter how the wind changes. Only in this case, you cannot do without a complex, time-consuming and expensive multistage rocket. This is her dear the most effective appointment … For this, its design is necessary and sufficient.

conclusions

1. Missile weapons existed and were used for a long time, much earlier than the 17th century. This is indisputable, since in Kazimir Semenovich's manual of 1650 it is described in a very perfect form and in a huge variety. At least there is mentions that rocket technology brought Mughal Tartars (Tatar Mongols) to Europe. in the 15th century.

2. There is no gradual development of rocket technology. Until the 17th century, the design perfection of missiles was quite high (corresponding to the first third of the 20th century). By the 18th century, there is a degradation of this type of weapon. A new upsurge in the development and use of missiles begins in the early 19th century, and continues for almost 100 years. Russia is leading in this area.

By the end of the 19th century, for some unknown reason, in all countries, missiles were removed from service (according to the official version, in connection with the appearance of long-range rifled artillery). This is naturally not the real reason, because under the same conditions at the beginning of the 20th century, rocketry begins to develop rapidly again. That is, rocket technology was artificially slowed down.

It follows that today we have such missiles that once existed (with the exception of control systems; simply not proven). The modern layout, separable stages, rocket nozzles, tail unit - all this has already been described. in 1650 … And at that time it was, most likely, only residual knowledge.

3. The best use for missiles is the delivery of weapons of mass destruction over significant distances. In this they are out of competition, but otherwise their effectiveness drops sharply. This is due to the limited penetration characteristics and, most importantly, low hitting accuracy, coupled with a huge consumption of gunpowder.

4. From this point on, opponents of the version of massive nuclear strikes in past centuries (voiced by Alexei Kungurov) are deprived of one more argument. After all, one often hears the question: "How were these strikes delivered, with ballistic missiles or what?" Yes, precisely missiles, at least short-range (tens of kilometers), which are depicted in the manual for gunners of the 17th century. This manual was printed in a decent edition, many originals have survived to this day, it is publicly available and is not disputed by anyone.

Alexey Artemiev, Izhevsk