On the participation of S.P. Korolev in the development of the detachable warhead a ballistic missile R-2 and on the role of this development in the development of ballistic missiles and space rockets-carrier

Issues and peculiarities pertaining to the development of the world’s first detachable warhead for the R-2 ballistic missile are considered. The fact that S.P. Korolev played an important part in this activity is a relatively unknown aspect of his scientifical and technological work. Data based on the specimen of the detachable R-2 ballistic missile warhead available in the teaching repository of the SM4 BMSTU department are used. The research into the initial stage of creating mass-produced ballistic missiles in the USSR is based on the recollections of those scientists and specialists who worked under the immediate guidance of S.P. Korolev. It is shown how important the development of the detachable R-2 ballistic missile warhead was for solving the problem of the «heat barrier», leading to heat-shielding coating and composite materials being used, research into thermophysical processes and heat-loaded structures being carried out, and subsequent successful evolution of ballistic missiles and launch systems taking place.