Vasili Pavlovich Mishin
(1917-2001)

 

 

Scientist, designer of rocket and space hardware
Associate of and successor to S.P. Korolev
Hero of Socialist Labor
Full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences
Doctor of Science, Engineering, professor
Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation
Winner of Lenin and State Prizes of USSR

Graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute (1941), Doctor of Science, Engineering (1957), professor, corresponding member (1958), full member (1966) of the USSR Academy of Sciences, of the International Academy of Astronautics.
1932 to 1934 - apprentice mechanic at factory apprenticeship school of TsAGI, Moscow. 1934 to 1935 - mechanic at Special Tasks Shop of TsAGI, Moscow.
1940 to 1941 - designer at Plant 84, Khimki, Moscow region.
1941 to 1946 - engineer-designer, head of a work team at NII-1 of factory No.293, Khimki.
1946 to 1950 - deputy chief designer at НИИ-88, Kaliningrad, Moscow region.
1950 to 1966 - deputy chief designer and head of Special Design Bureau No.1; deputy chief designer of Special Design Bureau No.1, first deputy head of Special Design Bureau No.1, Kaliningrad, Moscow region.
1966 to 1974 - head and chief designer of TsKBEM, Kaliningrad, Moscow region.
One of the senior managers who supervised the work on the development of our country's first long-range ballistic missiles using high-boiling, low-boiling and solid propellant components, of R-7 LV, which assured the USSR's leadership in space exploration, and still remains the most reliable and mass-produced rocket in the world. He proposed the key design solutions, which made it possible to implement the unique architecture of this world's first space launch vehicle, and enabled subsequent substantial upgrades and its cost-effective use. Under his direction the work was conducted on the first scientific satellites Elektron, unmanned spacecraft to the Moon, Mars and Venus, our country's first communications satellite Molniya-1, programs of manned spacecraft Vostok and Voskhod, manned lunar programs L1, N1-L1, program of manned spacecraft Soyuz, world's first space station Salyut, exploratory design work was conducted on manned vehicles for missions to the planets of the Solar system, on development of a family of common launch vehicles N1, N11, N111, including vehicles with reusable rocket stages, and other projects. Development and design work done under his direction laid the foundation for development of our country's school of design of space rocket transportation systems. Being the chairman of the Council of Chief Designers, in 1966-1974 he was providing technical management and coordination of activities of companies and organizations in our country's rocket and space industry within the framework of projects developed under the leadership of TsKBEM.
Founder (1959) of the Flying Vehicles department at Moscow Aviation Institute, he headed this department for 30 years. He founded a scientific school of flying vehicles design. He authored and co-authored more than 400 scientific papers, monographs, articles and inventions. Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation. Winner of the Lenin Prize (1957) and State Prize of the USSR (1984). Hero of Socialist Labor (1956). He was awarded orders of Lenin (1956, 1961, 1967), of October Revolution (1971), of Red Star (1946), medals For Valiant Labor during Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 (1945), For Defense of Moscow, In Commemoration of the 800th Anniversary of Moscow (1948), S.P.Korolev Gold Medal from the USSR Academy of Sciences (No.1, 1967), V.G. Shukhov Gold Medal from the Russian Union of Scientific and Engineering Organizations (1996). A memorial plaque to him is installed on the house in Korolev, Moscow region, where he used to live.