Quantum geometrodynamics in extended phase space - I. Physical problems of interpretation and mathematical problems of gauge invariance

The paper is the first of two parts of the work devoted to the investigation of constructing quantum theory of a closed universe as a system without asynptotic states. In Part I the role of asymptotic states in quantum theory of gravity is discussed, that enables us to argue that mathematically correct quantum geometrodynamics of a closed universe has to be gauge-noninvariant. It is shown that a gauge-noninvariant quantum geometrodynamics is consistent with the Copenhagen interpretation. The proposed version of the theory is thought of as describing the integrated system ``the physical object + observation means''. It is also demonstrated that introducing the observer into the theory causes the appearance of time in it.