Soviet Union-Lost but not forgotten-Part 6

The site after the explosion.


The Nedelin disaster occurred on 24th October 1960 at the Baikonour Cosmodrome during the development of R-16 Soviet ICBM. The prototype of the missile was being prepared for a test when the second stage ignited improperly and led to a blast killing around 100 people. Chief of Artillery Forces Marshall Mitrofan Nedelin was killed in the explosion. The official death toll was 90, but estimates are as high as 200, with 120 being the generally accepted figure. Despite the magnitude of the disaster, news of it was covered up for many years by the Soviet government and did not emerge until the 1990s. After the explosion, news was sent to all relatives of the deceased that they have died in a aircrash. The then General Secretary Nikita Khruschev ordered that the information shouldn’t be spread to the world and this news was made available only after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991.



Rocket exploding at site.

Unlike NASA, the Space Research in the Soviet Union had a lot of competition. There were three designers who competed amongst themselves to design ambitious Soviet space programs. Mikhail Yangel, Sergei Korylev were the popular ones, however Sergei Korylev was considered to be the most successful designer. This particular program was headed by Yangel.


Chief of Artillery Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin.

On 23 October, the R-16 rocket prototype was on the launching pad awaiting final tests before its firing. The rocket was filled with UDMH-Nitric acid which is used in rocketry despite the fact that it was an extremely corrosive and toxic binary fuel that produces poisonous gas when burned. These risks were accounted for in the safety procedures in preparing the rocket for launching, but, late that day, technicians accidentally ruptured the pyrotechnic membranes of the first-stage fuel lines and allowed the fuel in to the combustion chamber. The nitric acid component was so corrosive that it damaged the R-16 rocket. Thus, the rocket team had only a two options. It was to launch the rocket next day or drain the fuel from the rocket and then rebuild the engine and so delay the program several weeks. Morever, Yangel was much eager to complete the program before the 43rd Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. He wanted to present the successful result to Nikita Khruschev.


R-16 ICBM before the explosion. Photo taken in the Soviet Union.

When the second stage blasted, Nedelin and 125 other rocket personnel were killed, but Yangel survived. He had left the area to smoke a cigarette, where he and the chief technicians discussed possibly abandoning the rocket launching. After inspecting the site, Nikita Khruschev asked Yangel, “But why have you survived?”. In a trembling voice, Yangel replied, “I went away for a smoke. It’s all my fault”. A memorial to the dead was erected near Baikonur and it is still visited by RKA(Russian Space Agency) officials before any manned launch.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Greatest son of India. Be proud to be an Indian.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in Tirutani on September 5, 1888 into a poor brahmin family. The name of his father was Sarvepalli Veeraswami. His mother's name was Sitamma. He has held the posts of Professors, Vice-Chancellor, Chancellors of various universities. He was our second President after Independance. He also served as Vice-President since India became a republic state. There are many episodes in his life which one needs to know.

In 1949, Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan was appointed as an ambassador to USSR aka CCCP. He was personally invited by Joseph Stalin to meet him in Kremlin. It was an unexpected invitation because such a meeting was never scheduled earlier. The whole world was shocked. Stalin was an ardent communist. Radhakrishnan was a brahmin who had spiritual ideas. But Radha Krishnan boldly interacted with Stalin. Stalin was very much feared by everyone at that time. Radhakrishanan suggested a role model of Asoka to Stalin. Stalin listened to him and responded back with a smile. He was able to establish direct rapport with Stalin who was being feared by rest of the world at that time. When Radhakrishanan was called back to India in 1952, he met Stalin before leaving and had very intimate conversation with Stalin. It touched Stalin deeply.
Radhakrishnan said, "Even Emperor Ashoka was like that. After the battle of Kalinga, he quit fighting. You can also become like him". Joseph Stalin was amazed. Stalin said, "Everyone hates me. Everyone dislikes me and sees me like an animal. But you are the first person to treat me like a human. You are good. You should live a long life".

The political analysts believe that the role played by Radhakrishanan in Moscow had laid the grounds for better relation with USSR. Since the Indian-Soviet relations have reached peaks. India was USSR's all-time greatest ally, India-Soviet relations an epitome of friendship.

Many like Indians a lot. India never had territorial ambitions. Even at war, Indians had been very merciful. Even during Kargil war, Indians gave a decent burial to all Pakistani soldiers according to Muslim rites. Pakistan refused even to accept dead bodies of its soldiers claiming they weren't of Pakistan Army but terrorists.

Be proud to be an Indian if you are one. Our nation is one of the most respected nations in the world. Even dictators, tyrants, generals belonging to various superpowers have admired our nation. Though I am a fan of USSR, the fact is that I am an Indian and I love my nation, my men and women more.