Peter Smetanin, Junior Researcher of the Optical Research Department of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, became the winner of the Government of Russia 2021 in the field of science and technology for young scientists.
Award was presented as part of the author’s team for “the development of technology for conducting experimental research using the Progress Transport Cargo Ship”. The appropriate Order signed the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishoustin on November 1, 2021.
The flight of the first transport freight ship “Progress” took place over 40 years ago – January 20, 1978 to the Salute-6 station. Since then, the progress ships became real “workshoes” of astronautics. Today, they regularly provide the vital activity of the International Space Station. The extreme several flights of “progress” were carried out on the “ultrashort” (two-ventilated) scheme, when the time from the start of the ship to the docking with the station was less than 4 hours. At the same time, today’s “progress” differ from their predecessors. They are constantly upgraded and used for scientific and technological experiments.
Today in Russia, the development of a new generation of manned transport ships “Orel”, which will be used including for lunar expeditions are underway. The Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences develops for these ships VTK devices (video cameras for controlling approximation and docking with interacting objects and ka) and NC (navigation chamber, which must fully autonomously determine the parameters of the orientation and navigation parameters for optical measurements).
To work out these cameras, preliminary experiments are required. To test the camcorder VTK, it is supposed to carry out an experiment on the MS Progress Cargo ship. Peter Smetanin is developing a wide-angle and narrow-edged VTK chambers based on the photosensitive CMOS matrix and a programmable valve matrix and exercises the technology of the future space experiment. Peter Smetanin also actively participates in the preparation of the Experiment “Planet” on the ISS, during which the navigation chamber for the future ship will be worked out, and in creating a terrestrial stand for its development.
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Government Prize winners are awarded scientist under the age of 35 on the basis of the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Council, which includes representatives of the academic community and government agencies. In 2021, 28 people became laureates of the award. The award, in particular, the work related to regenerative medicine, experimental cosmic studies, energy efficient combustion of organic fuel is noted.