On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Vladimir Fedorovich Roshchin

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of a distinguished scholar, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Honored Master of Sciences and Engineering of the RSFSR, Laureate of the Lenin Prize – Vladimir Fedorovich Roshchin, who headed the Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics Chair of the Moscow Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (MICAE, the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation at the present time) in the 70s. The certain biographical details about the researcher and his career highlights are given. The synergy of V.F. Roshchin as a student of the Moscow Aviation Institute with S.P. Korolev was of utmost significance. S.P. Korolev became not only a Director of Diploma for the graduate, but also a Mentor, a vivid personality who developed the area of expertise, influenced the evolvement of intellectual assets and the formation of a young professional, taught the proficiency of cooperation in a team of supporters. Thanks to his great abilities, Vladimir Fedorovich, among the best graduates of the Moscow Aviation Institute, was personally employed by S.P. Korolev, who headed EDB-1. Thus, he started his career in the innovative and developing branch of aerospace technology. Having climbed a career ladder from an engineer to a head of the research-engineering section, Vladimir Fedorovich was engaged in theoretical and experimental research of aerogasdynamic, thermophysical and ballistic problems of the head parts of rockets and launched space vehicles. The scientist achieved the National Awards for the launch operations of the first manned spacecraft "Vostok-1" with the cosmonaut Yu.A. Gagarin, the study of the shape and rotor recovery landing system of the Soyuz spacecraft and a series of other contributions. The article mentions the scientist’s engagement with the unique cooperative scientific projects, particularly with joint authors from the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI) to design an unconventional craft "Vertostat". This paper emphasizes the timespan of V.F. Roshchin, associated with work in MICAE (MSTUCA), his teaching, scientific, management activities. The personal qualities of the talented scientist such as bright individuality, broad education, phenomenal professional memory, undoubted erudition, valuable management skills, genuine commitment to science, independence of views, absolute honesty and integrity are noted. It is highlighted that V.F. Roshchin found his true vocation, fostered graduates and followers.