Buttoned-Up Spaceman

At the 1955 Copenhagen meeting of the International Astronautical Federation, a Russian observer named Leonid Sedov announced that Russia would send up satellites during the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58. Hardly anyone paid attention, but Sputnik I went into orbit on Oct. 4, 1957. Leonid Sedov seemed to have the word.

No one knows for sure which Soviet scientist, if any, should get most credit for the success of the Soviet space effort, but it has slowly become clear that Sedov is nearest to being official chief of the program. His full title is Chairman of the Interplanetary Communications Commission of the [Soviet] Academy of Sciences' Astronomical Council, and he has often been spokesman for Russian space scientists. In recognition of his apparent stature, this year's London meeting of the I.A.F. elected Sedov its president. Said a British delegate dryly: "We felt that the Soviets had done a lot of work in this field and should be recognized."

As usual with Soviet celebrities, facts are few. He was born at Rostov-on-Don, is 51 and has a son at Moscow University. About 5 ft. 9 in. tall, he has brown eyes that narrow to slits when he laughs and give him an oriental look. He is an aero-dynarnicist who turned to astrophysics after World War II. Foreign colleagues give him top rating in his field, but they know almost nothing about his personal life. He often travels abroad, is always affable, but does not let his hair down. Said one British scientist last week: "After all, if he had too many drinks with us alone, he might not be allowed to come to the next meeting."

At the London meeting Sedov even seemed to enjoy his own doubletalk. When the Russians withdrew an astronomical paper, Sedov admitted to a Russian-speaking colleague that the reason was that British figures proved it erroneous. But when a British reporter asked for corroboration, Sedov offered three other explanations in quick succession : 1) there were too many papers already; 2) it would have been given if the author had been on hand; and 3) there were not enough Russian scientists present to discuss it. He chuckled merrily at each new alibi.

When reporters plied him with questions, they got only smiling evasion. Question: "When will the Russians put a man into orbit?" Sedov: "No forecast is possible." Question: "When will the next shoot come?" Sedov: "Watch for announcements in your newspapers." Last week, as the meeting broke up and Sedov headed back to Moscow, sure enough, the announcement came.

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