Vladimir Utkin is an outstanding scientist and general designer of rocket and space technology, doctor of technical sciences, professor, twice Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of Lenin and State prizes, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Author of more than 200 scientific works and many inventions. The last ten years of his life he headed the Central Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering, the main institute of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency.
Vladimir Utkin was born on October 17, 1923 in the village of PustobOr, Kasimov District, Ryazan Oblast. The father of the family - Fedor Utkin - worked as a planner-economist at the iron foundry, the mother - Anisia Efimovna - managed the household.
Utkin graduated from a seven-year school in Lashma and went to his relatives in Kasimov to continue his studies. In 1941, he received a certificate with honors. In August he was drafted to the Red Army. Vladimir Utkin reached Berlin and received many awards.
In 1946 he entered the Leningrad Military Mechanical Institute. Six years later, in 1952, he was among the best graduates in DnepropetrOvsk - as a design engineer at a machine-building plant. Two years later, his department was transformed into a Specialist design office. And since 1966 the department became called design office (KB) ‘YUzhny’, and it is here that Vladimir Utkin has achieved great success and became a general designer.
He especially prided himself in the ecologically clean carrier rocket ‘Zenit’, which delivers to orbit up to 12 tons of useful cargo. It is the foundation of the unique international project ‘Sea Launch’.
Vladimir Utkin was born on October 17, 1923 in the village of PustobOr, Kasimov District, Ryazan Oblast. The father of the family - Fedor Utkin - worked as a planner-economist at the iron foundry, the mother - Anisia Efimovna - managed the household.
Utkin graduated from a seven-year school in Lashma and went to his relatives in Kasimov to continue his studies. In 1941, he received a certificate with honors. In August he was drafted to the Red Army. Vladimir Utkin reached Berlin and received many awards.
In 1946 he entered the Leningrad Military Mechanical Institute. Six years later, in 1952, he was among the best graduates in DnepropetrOvsk - as a design engineer at a machine-building plant. Two years later, his department was transformed into a Specialist design office. And since 1966 the department became called design office (KB) ‘YUzhny’, and it is here that Vladimir Utkin has achieved great success and became a general designer.
Under his leadership, the SS-18 operational silo-based strategic missile system was developed and put into service. The Americans called this intercontinental ‘heavy’ class ballistic missile ‘Satan’. Black thermal coating has been applied to the body in order to increase its tenacity. Alongside with ‘Satan’, General Designer Vladimir Utkin was testing and putting into service four more rocket systems.
He especially prided himself in the ecologically clean carrier rocket ‘Zenit’, which delivers to orbit up to 12 tons of useful cargo. It is the foundation of the unique international project ‘Sea Launch’.
Many satellites, spacecraft for defense, scientific and general service purposes have also been developed in the field of space research. Vladimir Utkin had a special strategy: to find optimal solutions at minimal cost. He devoted much attention to the development of science and raised several generations of young scientists. Since 1990 Vladimir Utkin headed the Central Research Institute for Mechanical Building.
