ODK-Kuznetsov (part of the United engine corporation of Rostec State corporation) and Samara University organise an exhibition dedicated to the development of rocket engineering in Russia and the activities of Academician S.P. Korolev. The exhibition features documents, photographs and artefacts from the history of the aerospace industry. Also, visitors to the exhibition, wearing VR-glasses, will be able to take a 3D excursion to the firing tests of the RD-107A/RD-108A rocket engine – the basis of the Russian space programme.

In addition to historical photos of production in different years, ODK-Kuznetsov provided for the exhibition a mock-up of the NK-33 rocket engine developed by the development bureau under the leadership of designer Nikolai Kuznetsov for the Russian lunar programme. Created in the early 1960s, the NK-33 rocket engine was ahead of its time. Its creation used breakthrough solutions: a fundamentally new closed circuit, minimum weight relative to thrust, the possibility of multiple use, cost-effectiveness and extreme reliability, confirmed by tests. The modern modification of NK-33A is now used to launch Soyuz-2.1v rockets and continues to be improved.

Also on the first day of the exhibition, Nikolay Mironov, the head of one of the Design Bureau’s divisions, held a master class “The profession of a engineer-constructor today” for the students of Samara University. Nowadays, the engineers of ODK-Kuznetsov are faced with the tasks of designing high-power engines for the gas pumping industry, ultra-light rockets and small gas turbine engines. At the same time, the development of new products is carried out entirely in a virtual environment using “digital twins”.

“For ODK-Kuznetsov, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to tell and, most importantly, to show Samara students and schoolchildren about the achievements of the Russian industry in one of its most high-tech branches – engine building. Engineer and constructor are not the most obvious professions, the work of these specialists is surrounded by a lot of myths. That is why our young heads of design bureau tell us about the challenges that modern technical specialists face nowadays. System engineering is now a priority – an advanced engineer needs to possess a wide range of knowledge and competences to successfully solve production tasks”, – said Alexey Sobolev, Deputy General Director – Managing Director of ODK-Kuznetsov PJSC.

The exhibition also included a presentation of a 3D excursion to the firing tests of the RD-107A/RD-108A serial rocket engine – the main stage of production, which confirms the product parameters laid down in the engineering documentation and rivals the rocket launch in terms of spectacle. With the help of VR-glasses everyone can feel the power of products created by domestic engineers. RD-107A/RD-108A rocket engines have been produced by Samara engine builders since 1958, they are the basis of the Russian space programme, including manned space. The statistical reliability of serial rocket engines is 99.99%.

Source: ODK-Kuznetsov.