November 16, 2022, was a big day for all space industry fans. Artemis I, a first mission to the Moon after a break that lasted over 53 years, is finally launched. And while the eyes of millions were directed towards their screens to see the launch, only some people recognize the contributions of different countries to this achievement of humanity. In particular, the scientific contribution of Ukrainian scientists and researchers to the Moon missions.

Yuri Kondratiuk's concept of the Moon landing
Yuri Kondratiuk is the author of the first known lunar orbit rendezvous - the concept of landing spacecraft on the Moon. His basic ideas on astronautics were published in 1929. Ukrainian scientist explained how to decelerate the spacecraft during landing, gave the basic equations of motion missiles, explored the structure of the jet engine and fuels for it, and suggested using the gyroscope for orientation of the spacecraft. American scientists developed an Apollo program based on the ideas of Yuri Kondratiuk.

American scientist of Ukrainian origin I.D. Bogachevsky (1928-2010) realized the ideas of Kondratiuk and created a theory for the return of a spacecraft to an orbital station from the surface of another planet. This made it possible to return a spacecraft to Earth in the Apollo program. And that's how man's landing on the Moon and return was successfully completed on July 21, 1969.

Another Ukrainian researcher has also contributed to Moon exploration. He was the first scientist in the world to prove that landing on the Moon is possible. Mykola Barabashow, a Kharkiv-based Ukrainian astronomer, investigated the reflection of light from the Moon at his own observatory. In 1918 he discovered that the natural satellite's surface consists of volcanic rock basalt type with high porosity. The theory was later confirmed after scientists reached the Moon.

Actually, Ukrainian scientific achievements did not just bring value to Moon missions. Ukraine has long been famous for its space heritage. Many scientists of Ukrainian origin contributed to space exploration in different areas.

For instance, a Ukrainian engineer and spacecraft designer, Serhiy Korolov, is known as the father of practical astronautics. The first human-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched under his leadership on October 4, 1957.

Even today, science keeps enriching thanks to the contribution of the Ukrainians, which is hard to overestimate. From 2007 until 2017, Ukrainians registered 124,000 patents, including 10,000 patents and patent applications filed abroad. Ukrainians were also authors and co-authors of more than 4,600 inventions in other countries.

But let's see what Ukrainians have to offer to the space industry.

Not only Moon. Mars hopper for NASA
The younger generation of Ukrainian engineers also engages in science, creating ideas that strengthen space exploration efforts. In 2016, a team of young Ukrainians won the NASA Space Apps Challenge award, in the category Audience Choice, for their project Mars Hopper.

Mars Hopper is an aircraft for investigating the Mars poles and surroundings. The team presented an alternative motion technology that can be used on Mars. The thing is, Mars has a lesser gravity than Earth and a thin atmosphere. The project team suggested using dry ice that covers Mars poles after a landing and converting it to gas. Released energy would then create jet thrust for the rover's propeller rotation and the next stage of its mission. The aircraft's movements on Mars surface are similar to the jumping of insects; that's why it's been named a hopper.

With a strong scientific community, Ukrainian contribution to the Ukrainian and global space industry's development is notable. Starting from the fundamental first steps in the space sector that made the first satellite launch and Moonwalk possible and to the solution of modern problems, Ukrainians have a lot to offer to the world. Also, taking modern space security risks into consideration, Ukrainian experience in satellite data and secure communications could be more than valuable for the international space community.

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Artemis I captures new images of Earth, the moon and Orion spacecraft
Washington DC (UPI) Nov 16, 2021
Cameras on board NASA's Artemis I began capturing images Wednesday with new views of Earth, the moon and the Orion spacecraft. After several delays Artemis I blasted off early Wednesday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Before returning to Earth, NASA's Artemis I will travel 40,000 miles beyond the moon collecting engineering data. Four of the 24 cameras on the rocket and spacecraft will enable a selfie view of the spacecraft with Earth or the moon in the back ... read more

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