Igor Spassky submarine designer biography. At deadly depths

17.05.2017

Spassky Igor Dmitrievich

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Igor Spassky was born on August 2, 1926 in the city of Noginsk, Moscow region. In 1949, Spassky graduated from the steam power department of the F.E. Dzerzhinsky Naval Engineering School, after which short time was an engineer on the cruiser Frunze under construction.

In 1950, Spassky began to participate in the development of submarines, first in SKB-143. Since 1953, Spassky worked at TsKB-18. In 1956 he became deputy chief engineer, in 1968 - chief engineer, and in 1974 - head of Rubin LPMBM, chief designer, head of the bureau.

In total, 187 submarines were built according to his designs, which formed and continue to form the core of the Soviet and Russian fleets.

In 1973 he became a candidate of technical sciences, in 1978 - a doctor of technical sciences, in 1984 - a professor and corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the specialty "Mechanics and Control Processes", in 1987 - a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Launch platform "Odyssey" of the floating cosmodrome "Sea Launch" in the home port of Long Beach

With the beginning of perestroika and the subsequent collapse of the USSR, the number of government orders for new nuclear submarines fell sharply. Spassky nevertheless continued to work on nuclear submarines, including new project fourth generation submarine - Yuri Dolgoruky. To keep the bureau afloat, he expanded the scope of its activities.

An example of this expansion is the development and construction of oil platforms that are now used to produce oil around Sakhalin Island, in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and off the coast of South Korea.

To others important project Rubina was Sea Launch, a floating spaceport created from a converted oil platform. Since the spaceport is located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, where there are optimal conditions for launching launch vehicles, launches from it are almost ten times cheaper than those offered by NASA. Spassky was the chief designer of the naval part of the project.

In addition, Spassky led such exotic projects as the construction of a cargo submarine for year-round operations in the Arctic Ocean and an ice-resistant offshore platform for oil production from the ocean shelf, as well as more modest projects such as the modernization of city trams. He also became general director a consortium that builds non-nuclear submarines for the Russian Navy and for export to India, Poland and some other countries.

Governor of St. Petersburg Anatoly Sobchak jokingly called Spassky “Hero of Capitalist Labor,” referring to the success of Rubin in a market economy.

Spassky spent part of the proceeds on charity: the reconstruction of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Church of John the Baptist in Staraya Ladoga, the construction of a monument to the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet, the celebration of the centenary of the Russian Museum and many other projects. For his philanthropic activities, the Russian Orthodox Church awarded him the “Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow.”

Igor Dmitrievich Spassky(born August 2, 1926, Noginsk) - Soviet and Russian scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, general designer of about 200 Soviet and Russian submarines and former head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau.

Biography

USSR

Another important Rubin project was Sea Launch, a floating spaceport created from a converted oil platform. Since the spaceport is located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, where there are optimal conditions for launching launch vehicles (you can make the most of the Earth's rotational inertia), launches from it are almost ten times cheaper than those offered by NASA. Spassky was the chief designer of the naval part of the project.

In addition, Spassky led such exotic projects as the construction of a cargo submarine for year-round operations in the Arctic Ocean and an ice-resistant offshore platform for oil production from the ocean shelf, as well as more modest projects such as the modernization of city trams. He also became the general director of the consortium (it includes the Rubin Central Design Bureau, the Admiralty Shipyards and several others shipbuilding enterprises), building non-nuclear submarines for the Russian Navy (for example, diesel-electric submarines of Project 677 Lada) and for export - for India, Poland and some other countries (for example, the Amur or Sadko submarines - the so-called “tourist submarines” ).

Governor of St. Petersburg Anatoly Sobchak jokingly called Spassky “Hero of Capitalist Labor,” referring to the success of Rubin in a market economy.

Spassky spent part of the proceeds on charity: the reconstruction of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Church of John the Baptist in Staraya Ladoga, the construction of a monument to the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet, the celebration of the centenary of the Russian Museum and many other projects. For his philanthropic activities, the Russian Orthodox Church awarded him the “Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow.”

Nuclear submarine "Kursk"

Spassky was the head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau, which developed the Kursk nuclear submarine, the last Antey-class submarine to enter service with the Russian Navy. On August 12, 2000, a torpedo exploded on board the submarine and it sank. Most of the crew died in the explosion, but some sailors survived and lived for several more days in the ninth, tail compartment of the ship. Rescue efforts, slowed by bureaucratic delays, failed. By the time the rescuers reached the compartment, the sailors were already long dead.

Spassky was a consultant during the rescue operation, and some journalists claim that he is responsible for the ineffective actions of military rescuers in the first days after the explosion. The press also accused the Rubin Central Design Bureau of design flaws that led to the death of the crew. Some journalists, such as Novaya Gazeta's Elena Milashina, have wondered why most of the accidents on Russian nuclear submarines in recent years have occurred on submarines designed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau. In an open letter " Novaya Gazeta“Vice President of the company Alexander Zavalishin and general designer of nuclear submarines Igor Baranov responded that not a single ship could withstand the simultaneous detonation of torpedoes, each of which was designed to destroy warships, and the Kursk was no exception. They also noted that more than three-quarters of Russian nuclear submarines were designed by Rubin, and if we take the percentage, it does not in any way reflect the special accident rate of their submarines. Investigators looking into the Kursk disaster said that the automatic shutdown system for the nuclear reactor worked perfectly and saved the Barents Sea from a nuclear disaster.

When plans to lift the submarine from the ground were announced, more than 500 proposals were received for their implementation. The government chose the Rubin Bureau's plan. The destroyed and intact parts of the submarine were separated, after which the whole part was raised to the surface and towed to the repair shipyard in Roslyakovo (a village near Severomorsk); Spassky supervised the work of cutting and raising the boat, while another international team was engaged in towing and docking.

Awards and titles

Notes

Links

Spassky, Igor Dmitrievich on the website “Heroes of the Country”

Since 1953, the activities of Igor Spassky have been inextricably linked with TsKB-18 (now TsKB MT Rubin). Participating in the creation of nuclear submarine missile carriers of the first and second generations, he passed through all levels of design positions from designer to chief engineer of the design bureau.

In 1974, Spassky headed the Central design bureau"Rubin" first as the chief, and since 1983 - as the general designer of the enterprise.

Spassky developed a number of fundamental technical areas that ensure the efficiency and safety of the operation of submarines and their nuclear power plants. Spassky's contribution to science and technology was realized in the construction of almost 200 nuclear and diesel-electric submarines of various projects.

Spassky’s position at one time determined the preservation of diesel-electric submarines in the Navy and the creation of a whole family of low-noise and highly efficient diesel-electric submarines, which are in stable demand on the global arms market.

Under Spassky's leadership, the highly specialized design bureau turned into a modern diversified enterprise. Under him, the Central Design Bureau for MT "Rubin" began to design marine equipment for shelf development.

Since 2007, Spassky moved away from administrative work and focused on the problems of creating advanced naval technology. Currently Academician Spassky is scientific supervisor works on special topics of JSC "CDB MT "Rubin".

Doctor of Technical Sciences (1978), Professor (1984), in 1987 Igor Spassky became a full member of the Academy of Sciences (USSR Academy of Sciences - RAS).

Spassky's activities are inextricably linked with St. Petersburg. With his direct participation:

The museum-apartment of A.S. Pushkin and the Literary Cafe (Wolf and Beranger) have been recreated.
- completed major renovation St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral,
- restoration of the Church of St. Basil the Great in Lodeynoye Pole and the Church of John the Baptist of the 12th century in Staraya Ladoga was carried out,
- modern high-quality international business centers have been created on Nevsky Prospekt and Obvodny Canal; the first oceanarium in Russia.

St. Petersburg was decorated with the museum-monument "Submarine "D-2" - a branch of the Central Military Museum, monuments "Slava" Russian fleet", "From "Dolphin" to "Typhoon", the development of projects and the creation of which was led by Spassky. On his initiative, constant targeted assistance is provided to a number of cultural centers, children's, medical and sports institutions. Academician Igor Spassky, a member of the city's Public Council, was awarded the highest sign of recognition of St. Petersburg residents - the title "Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg" (2002).

Spassky's activities were noted by being awarded the Lenin Prize (1965), the USSR State Prize (1983), the State Prize of the Russian Federation (2007), and the title of Hero of Socialist Labor (1978). He was awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Red Banner of Labor, "For Services to the Fatherland" II degree, the "Badge of Honor", medals, numerous orders and the highest signs of various industry and public organizations, Russian Orthodox Church.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Igor Dmitrievich Spassky(born August 2, 1926, Noginsk) - Soviet and Russian scientist, engineer, general designer of about 200 Soviet and Russian submarines and former head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for MT, entrepreneur. Hero of Socialist Labor. Lenin Prize laureate. Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (until 1992 - academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences).

Biography [ | ]

USSR [ | ]

Another important Rubin project was Sea Launch, a floating spaceport created from a converted oil platform. Since the spaceport is located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, where there are optimal conditions for launching launch vehicles (you can make the most of the Earth's rotational inertia), launches from it are almost ten times cheaper than those offered by NASA. Spassky was the chief designer of the naval part of the project.

In addition, Spassky led such exotic projects as the construction of a cargo submarine for year-round operations in the Arctic Ocean and an ice-resistant offshore platform for oil production from the ocean shelf, as well as more modest projects such as the modernization of city trams. He also became the general director of a consortium (which includes the Rubin Central Design Bureau, the Admiralty Shipyards and several other shipbuilding enterprises), building non-nuclear submarines for the Russian Navy (for example, diesel-electric submarines of Project 677 Lada) and for export to India and Poland and some other countries (for example, the submarines “Amur” or “Sadko” - the so-called “tourist submarines”).

Governor of St. Petersburg Anatoly Sobchak jokingly called Spassky “Hero of Capitalist Labor,” referring to the success of Rubin in a market economy.

Spassky spent part of the proceeds on charity: the reconstruction of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Church of John the Baptist in Staraya Ladoga, the construction of a monument to the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet, the celebration of the centenary of the Russian Museum and many other projects. For his philanthropic activities, the Russian Orthodox Church awarded him the “Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow.”

Nuclear submarine "Kursk" [ | ]

Spassky was the head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau, which developed the Kursk nuclear submarine, the last Antey-class submarine to enter service with the Russian Navy.

On August 12, 2000, the submarine sank during a Northern Fleet exercise. As a result of the subsequent investigation, it was established that at 11 hours 28 minutes 26 seconds Moscow time, a 65-76A (“Kit”) torpedo exploded in torpedo tube No. 4 of the nuclear submarine Kursk. Thus, the submarine suffered initial damage due to the explosion of its own torpedo, which led to the subsequent explosion of other torpedoes. The cause of the first explosion was a leak of fuel components (hydrogen peroxide) from the torpedo engine. Most of the crew died immediately, but some sailors survived and lived for several more days in the ninth, aft compartment of the ship. Rescue efforts, slowed by bureaucratic delays, failed. Only on August 20, the Norwegian rescue ship Seaway Eagle was involved in rescue work. On August 21, by the time the Norwegian divers who came to the rescue reached the aft compartment and opened it, the Russian submariners were already dead.

Spassky was a consultant during the rescue operation, and some journalists claim that he is responsible for the ineffective actions of military rescuers in the first days after the explosion. The press also accused the Rubin Central Design Bureau of design flaws that led to the death of the crew. Some journalists, such as Novaya Gazeta's Elena Milashina, have wondered why most of the accidents on Russian nuclear submarines in recent years have occurred on submarines designed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau. In an open letter to Novaya Gazeta, company vice-president Alexander Zavalishin and general designer of nuclear submarines Igor Baranov responded that no ship could withstand the simultaneous detonation of torpedoes, each of which was designed to destroy warships, and the Kursk was no exception. They also noted that more than three-quarters of Russian nuclear submarines were designed by Rubin, and if we take the percentage, it does not in any way reflect the special accident rate of their submarines. Investigators looking into the Kursk disaster said that the automatic shutdown system for the nuclear reactor worked in a timely manner and saved the Barents Sea from a nuclear disaster.

When plans to lift the submarine from the ground were announced, more than 500 proposals were received for their implementation. The government chose the Rubin Bureau's plan. The destroyed and intact parts of the submarine were separated, after which the whole part was raised to the surface and towed to the repair shipyard in Roslyakovo (a village near

We met with Academician, Hero of Socialist Labor, Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg Igor Spassky, on the eve of the anniversary - today, August 2, Igor Dmitrievich turned 90 years old. The hero of the day invited us to visit Shalovo, a quiet village 130 kilometers from the Northern capital. Before starting the conversation, the owner gives us a tour of the site. Greenery, flowers, apple trees... There is a miniature brick bathhouse on the corner.

“It’s only small in appearance,” Igor Dmitrievich says mysteriously and inserts the key into the lock.

Hidden behind the door... is a whole bathhouse complex! The building is divided into three floors, one of which is underground. There is a shower, steam room, sauna, swimming pool...

– After submarines, won’t I design a decent bathhouse for myself? – the scientist laughs.

THE SECRET “HAND” FROM MOSCOW

On August 2, Academician Spassky will turn 90 years old. The scientist, who for a long time headed the Central Design Bureau of Marine Equipment "Rubin", is the creator of about 200 Soviet and Russian submarines. Both nuclear and diesel.

- Well, what are you... I have never said and will never say that I am “the creator of this or that submarine.” My culture and conscience will not allow me to declare this. A submarine is a busy and complex structure. Only a team can create it. So you are clearly exaggerating my merits,” the academician is modest.

Igor Dmitrievich resigned from the post of general designer of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering in 2006. He led the organization for 33 years. During this time, he accumulated more than twenty unfilled vacations - almost two years of pure time!

– I’ve never liked vacations: after a vacation it’s very difficult to get into a working rhythm. And this way you work harder and harder... It’s even easier,” says the academician.

Igor Spassky (right) led the design bureau for more than 30 years. PHOTO: Central Design Bureau MT "Rubin"

– Igor Dmitrievich, you devoted most of your life to submarines. Like many designers, you probably became interested in submarines as a child?..

– Not at all, because I lived in the Soviet Union! Nobody asked what my interests and preferences were... I graduated from Dzerzhinka and received a diploma in mechanical engineering. In 1949, I ended up on the cruiser Frunze, which was under construction. But he served there for only three months. One fine day we received a telegram from the capital: “We ask you to second Lieutenant Spassky to Moscow.” The commander of the cruiser called me and asked: “Do you have a “hand” in Moscow?!” But I didn’t even understand what he was talking about,” Igor Dmitrievich shrugs. – From Moscow I was redirected to the Leningrad “Rubin” (then it was called TsKB-18). By training I was a pure naval officer. But life decided to bring me together with submarines...

The academician still does not know who initiated the transfer to Leningrad.

“Everything is an accident,” he notes philosophically.

THANKS YELTSIN

According to Igor Spassky, Rubin has always been the leading design bureau designing submarines. At the same time, the company earned and continues to earn money from its production. For this the deceased Governor of St. Petersburg Anatoly Sobchak called Igor Dmitrievich “Hero... of capitalist labor.”

– How did you meet Sobchak?

- Very simple. When he and I were elected people's deputies of the USSR, we were assigned to the same cell. Why? Yes, because we have surnames with the same letter! – explains Spassky. – Anatoly Alexandrovich was a very complex person. I immediately realized that I could only be honest with him. But we worked together and became friends.

The academician was on friendly terms with many famous politicians. For example, with the first Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

– I am sincerely grateful to Boris Nikolaevich. He is the first head of state from whom I heard the cherished phrase: “Work as you see fit.” We were finally allowed to go abroad! During Yeltsin’s reign, I visited 28 countries,” recalls Igor Dmitrievich. “At least some opportunity to loosen up has appeared.” The fact is that during the Soviet era we were monitored very strictly. A step to the left, a step to the right - execution. It was all stupid... Scientists from different countries must contact each other, no matter what secret data they possess... People of my experience and class would not say a superfluous word, even if you torture us with a hot iron. On the contrary, we would only create a fog...

– Is there anything you would like to return from the Soviet past?

- Undoubtedly. This is the spirit of collectivism. What we have practically lost, we have lost,” the academician answers. – Be that as it may, Soviet people have always been drawn to friendship and mutual assistance. And now... We began to live according to the Western model of “I am an individual.”

Rubin is a leading design bureau. PHOTO: Central Design Bureau MT "Rubin"

"BROWNING" IS NOT FOR SUBMARINES

- A B plus. This is a high assessment,” says Spassky. – Russia, like the United States, has already started developing fifth-generation submarines. This is a huge job. There are already ideas and certain developments.

- The fifth generation is...

– The transition from generation to generation is something like a process of evolution. If some “component” of the submarine becomes obsolete, then it is replaced with something new,” Igor Dmitrievich begins. – If you explain it in simple terms, then a submarine is... a submarine. A body is a body. It’s already very difficult to change anything here. But everything depends on the “filling” - mechanisms, electronic systems, communication equipment. The immersion depth and speed are gradually increasing... Now materials scientists are working on the development of high-strength steel. Weapons are also being improved - their range, the power of explosive elements. You can’t mount a Browning pistol on a submarine—you need something like that! There is still work to be done here for many, many years, but personally I expect a strong increase in quality already in this decade.

– Have you often sailed in submarines yourself?

– I had to... Yes, I was glad. I swam about 40 thousand kilometers - the equator of the globe. By the way! I noticed this thing: the submarine crew is very united. “It’s as if everyone is relatives,” says the ex-head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau. – You see, the designers developed submarines and were the first to test them. This is absolutely normal practice. A submarine is several thousand connected elements. Everything needs to be checked properly. I consider myself responsible for the personnel of every submarine designed under my direction. I tried not to leave untested items for the crew. God forbid that...

"KURSK" COULD FALL UP

The tragedy happened on August 12, 2000. The nuclear submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea due to the explosion of two torpedoes. 118 people died. The Antey-class nuclear submarine was designed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau for MT when Igor Spassky was the bureau's general designer.

– Do you remember this disaster?

– Every submarine is destiny ( thinks for a minute). The fate of many people - fathers and husbands, children and friends. What happened with “Kursk” is a memory for life, the wound on the heart is still fresh, admits Igor Dmitrievich. - So I remember.

In August 2000, Academician Spassky met several times with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. The discussion was about the possibility of carrying out a ship-lifting operation.

– One of the emergency meetings took place at two in the morning. The President asked me whether it was necessary to raise the Kursk. I replied: “Absolutely.” Vladimir Vladimirovich raised his index finger, looked into my eyes and said in a firm voice: “Then you raise it.” I couldn’t guarantee a 100% result, but I promised to complete the task,” recalls Igor Dmitrievich.

The man said it, the man did it. "Kursk" was raised in 2001. The operation was led by Spassky.

“What I was most worried about was how the submarine would get off the bottom. At this moment, the Kursk could have fallen apart, and then all our efforts would have gone down the drain. Misha and I (Vice Admiral Barskov, - approx. auto) watched this with bated breath... Fortunately, the separation turned out to be soft, and we did not worry about the further course of the operation,” says the academician. – It’s a pity that Misha died two years ago...

ABOUT PERSONAL

– I’m always in a good mood. At least before the anniversary, at least on any other day,” shares Igor Dmitrievich.

Academician Spassky is known not only for his developments, but also for his charity. With his participation, a major overhaul of the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral was carried out, the restoration of the Church of St. Basil the Great in Lodeynoye Pole and the Church of John the Baptist XII in Staraya Ladoga was carried out... For his philanthropic activities, the Russian Orthodox Church awarded the scientist the Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow.

– I... don’t believe in God. My father tried to drag me into church, but I never got into it all,” the academician admits. “However, I help faith to the best of my ability. Why?.. Because people need it.

– Igor Dmitrievich, do you follow what is happening in the world? Blood is spilling everywhere...

- I'm watching. I think, last year should open the eyes of the leaders of many countries. If they don’t change their policies and stop doing nonsense, then they’re all worthless,” says the scientist. – Instead of putting pressure on Russia, I would advise them to restore order at their borders. But so far I don’t see an end to all this madness...

HELP "KP"

Igor Spassky was born on August 2, 1926 in Noginsk (Moscow province). Igor Dmitrievich began participating in the development of submarines in 1950. At the Rubin Central Design Bureau he worked his way up from a simple engineer to a general designer. The methods of constructing submarines he invented not only reduced the time and cost of their construction, but also significantly increased their combat characteristics.

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Komsomolskaya Pravda visited Academician Spassky.Alexander GLUZ, Anatoly ZAYONCHKOVSKY