The Final Frontier – Russian style
Posted on 8 December 2004
Former Cosmonaut Colonel Alexander Volkov and Dr Alexander Martynov, who was head of ballistics in mission control near Moscow, will be speaking at an Institute of Physics Christmas Lecture, supported by the University of York, on 15 December.
While in York, Colonel Volkov will become the first person who has been in space to visit the 19th-century astronomical observatory in the city’s Museum Gardens.
Colonel Volkov, 56, is a former Commander of the Cosmonauts' Team at the Russian Training Centre for Cosmonauts and a veteran of several space missions, including flights on the Salut and MIR space stations.
Dr Martynov, 59, designed re-entry modules to provide soft landing on Earth, Mars, Venus and other planets of the Solar System. Since 1994, he has been Head of the Foreign Relations Department for the Administration of Korolev and is the author of 120 scientific articles and six books dedicated to spacecraft motion control in planetary atmospheres. He is also involved in the space programme that works out the efficient probing method to predict dangerous phenomena such as hurricanes, dust storms, industrial pollution.
Dr David Jenkins, of the University of York’s Department of Physics, said: "The lecture, will provide a rare opportunity for the public to find out more about the science and engineering issues involved in a manned expedition to Mars."
The lecture, will provide a rare opportunity for the public to find out more about the science and engineering issues involved in a manned expedition to Mars
Dr David Jenkins
The lecture, in P/X001 in the Department of Physics on the University’s Heslington Campus at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 15 December 2004, will involve a 90-minute presentation by Colonel Volkov and Dr Martynov. It will include prospects for a Mars mission and the technology required - experience gained from work on MIR and the International Space Station, together with a video about manned Mars missions and life on MIR. Colonel Volkov will also answer questions from the audience and sign photographs and books.
Tickets for the event are available from the Department of Physics and cost £3 for adults, £2.50 for students and free for under 18s. People are advised to obtain tickets in advance and they are available from Dr Jenkins or Jo Crawford on 01904 432248 or 01904 432241.
Martin Lunn, Curator of Astronomy for York Museums Trust, said: "I am very excited that these two eminent Russian cosmonauts are coming to York and anyone interested in space flight and continued development of manned space missions should go along to their talk at the University of York.
"We’re very honoured to welcome them to the York Observatory – it’s not every day that one gets the opportunity to meet someone that has been into space! It’s also a first for the observatory – as far as I’m aware no one who’s been into space has ever visited it before."
Notes to editors:
- PHOTOCALL: Colonel Volkov and Dr Martynov will be available for photographs/filming at the York Observatory, in the Museum Gardens, at 1pm on 15 December. Photographers/cameramen should meet at Yorkshire Museum Reception at 12.55pm. Ask for Janet Hewison or David Garner.
- The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body, established to promote the advancement and dissemination of physics. The Institute is a major international player in scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics; setting professional standards for physicists qualifications; promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice.
- York Observatory was built in 1832 and 1833, by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, which opened the Yorkshire Museum in 1830 to house its geological and archaeological collections. The observatory’s 4½ inch refractor telescope was built by Thomas Cooke, of York, in 1850. It was installed in 1981 when the observatory was restored and is still used today.
- Martin Lunn, who received an MBE in 1998 for his work on astronomy, organises regular events at the Yorkshire Museum. Forthcoming dates include evening lectures on The Star of Bethlehem, on 21 December, and The Winter Sky, on 4 January, and free observatory open evenings on Monday 10, 17, 24 and 31 January. For more information, telephone 01904 687687.