“Basic Physics of Space Flight (Reel 1)” (1976) is a black-and-white documentary-style Russian-language film that sheds light on the Soviet Union’s manned and unmanned space program. Specifically, the film talks about the basic physics of space flight, beginning with the theories of Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, who pioneered astronautics, and the work of Soviet aerospace engineer Sergei Korolev. The film then evaluates Tsiolkovsky’s equation for launching rockets rooted in the law of conservation of momentum and talks about its applications to rockets of the time i.e. Sputnik 1, 2, and 3, Vostok 1, and the Salyut Program. Additionally, the film highlights a science fiction film from the 1930s by Vasily Zhuravlev titled “Cosmic Journey” and evaluates the accuracy of the depictions of rocket launches based on knowledge acquired in the 40 years since the film had been made.

Film opens, opening credits (0:08). Sketch, design with early calculations for rocket (0:30). Computer-generated image of Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (0:44). Cover of “Exploration of Outer Space by Means of Rocket Devices,” one of Tsiolkovsky’s early projects (c.1914); Segment continues featuring different notes and drawings made by Tsiolkovsky (0:45). Opening credits from Vasily Zhuravlev’s film “Cosmic Journey” 1936, Tsiolkovsky acted as consultant (1:26). Scene from Zhuralev’s film “Cosmic Journey” showing rocket command center (1:44). Another scene from “Cosmic Journey,” showing rocket CCCP-1 Joseph Stalin and CCCP-2 Klim Voroshilov on horizontal launchers; Rocket operators called into position ahead of launch in command center, rockets launched into space (1:55-4:15). Animation depicts “explosion” that acts as means of acceleration for rockets, as articulated by Tsiolkovsky; Equation appears on left-hand side of screen (4:16). Equation and explanation of law of conservation of momentum (5:08). Equation derived for final speed of rocket using law of conservation of momentum (5:24). Logarithm and explanation of equation Y= LN (X) (5:49). Practical application of Tsiolkovsky’s formula; Formula applied to the rocket launch featured in “Cosmic Journey” to evaluate how realistic film was (6:51). Sputnik 1 (7:25). Sputnik 2 (7:34). Sputnik 3 (7:44). Vostok 1 (7:51). Soyuz 7K-OK, first generation of Soyuz spacecraft and was flown between 1967 and 1971. (8:04). Salyut Program: What appears to be Salyut 7 being constructed in industrial center (8:23). Film ends (8:45).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com