Radio electronics in space

1. The formula "radio + electronics = radio electronics" provides us with a good example of fruitful cooperation. 2. To work successfully in any field of science now means to know the fundamentals of radio electronics. 3. A physician has to know the properties of high frequency currents, a mathematician — the properties of fast-acting computers, an astronomer— the properties of radio-telescopes, a physicist — the properties of charged particles. 4. Without radio electronics it is impossible to develop cybernetics, astronautics and nuclear physics. 5. Much attention is now given to the frequency stability of generators — the heart of all radio transmitting systems. 6. To establish reliable contact with Mars, the frequency control must be within billionths of a per cent. 7. The role of "electrical pendulum" which sets the frequency of oscillations in highly stable generators is performed by a plate of crystalline quartz. 8. Like the string of a musical instrument, this plate can be tuned to a definite frequency. 9. The thinner the plate, the higher the frequency is. 10. The thinnest plates give a frequency of scores of mcps (millions of oscillations per second). 11. The super-high frequencies used in cosmic communication are of hundreds and thousands of mcps. 12. To use special multipliers means to achieve such frequencies. 13. Ordinarily it is a chain of valve or transistor stages, each containing a score of parts. 14. This increases the size of еquiрment, rеquirеs morepower and results in reduced reliability. 15. To solve the problem of high frequencies another way out has been foud 16. The oscillations of quartz may be induced not on the main frequency, but on its harmonic overtones¹. 17. One of the biggest problems is to "tame"² overtones in transistor generators, that is where they are most necessary. 18. The frequency "ceiling" for them is usually 100 mcps. 19. The generator used, for instance, in the instrumentation of the US artificial Earth satellites "Vanguard" and "Explorer", had a frequency of 108 mcps. 20. The generator, produced in Odessa, has a frequency of 300 mcps. 21. It is shock-proof, damp-proof and operates reliably in heat or cold.