| Team information: |
CO |
Institute of Physical Energetics - LAS, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia Riga, Latvia; the team leader is Prof. Zigurds Sika, zigurds.sika@venta.lv |
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CR1 |
Institute of Radioastronomy - INAF, Noto VLBI Station, Ctr.da Renna, Noto (Sr),
96017, Italy, the team leader is Dr. Gino Tuccari, e-mail: g.tuccari@ira.cnr.it
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CR2 |
Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics -RAS, Miusskaya square, 4, Moscow, 125047,
Russia, the team leader is Dr. Victor Stepaniants, e-mail: stepan@kiam1.rssi.ru
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CR3 |
Central Astronomical Observatory at Pulkovo - RAS, Pulkovskoe shosse 65/1, 196140
St.-Peterburg, Russia, the team leader is Dr. Victor L'vov, e-mail: epos@gao.spb.ru
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CR4 |
National Control and Space Facilities Test Center, Sakskiy region of Crimea, Ukraine, The team leader is Mr. Vladimir Nesteruk, e-mail: tsyukh@front.ru
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CR5 |
Special Research Bureau of Moscow Power Engineering Institute,Krasnokazarmennaya str., 14, Moscow, 111250, Russia, the team leader is Dr. Yuriy Gorshenkov, e-mail: igorshen@india1.cobalt.msk.ru |
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CR6 |
Radio physical Research Institute, Bolshaya Pecherskaya str., 25, Nizhny Novgorod, 603950, Russia, the team leader is Dr. Nikolay Dugin, e-mail: dugin@nirfi.sci-nnov.ru
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CR7 |
Andromeda Company Ltd., Avangardnaya str., 8-2-167, Moscow, 125493, Russia, team leader is Mr. Igor Molotov, e-mail: molotov@vimpel.ru
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The project was coordinates by project coordinator Prof. Zigurds Sika with assistance of scientific technical manager Mr. Igor Molotov (CR7). The project activity on asteroids and space debris was managed by joint group of CR2 and CR3 team with assistance the center on collection, processing and analysis of information on space debris of Russian Academy of Sciences. The VLBI radar experiments were arranged by LFVN scheduling group (CR6 and CR7) with assistance of Dr. Gino Tuccari (CR1)
First project visit was in end of May. Igor Molotov (CR7) visited Riga for 3 days for negotiations with project coordinator Zigurds Sika and Ivar Shmeld (CO). The common plan of project works and works around Ventspils RT-32 were discussed.
Ivar Shmeld (CO) visited Moscow in June 2002 for 5 days for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Victor Stepaniants (CR2) and Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5). It was discussed the work plan for first project year, the possibility for cooperation with optical observatories (the meetings with representatives of Samakhi and Zvenigorod observatories were arranged) including questions of refurbishing the excellent 1.2-m telescope in Baldone, Riga, Latvia.
Igor Molotov (CR7) and Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) visited St. Pustyn near N. Novgorod, Russia in June for 3 days for meeting with Boris Lipatov (CR6) and Alexander Dementiev (CR6). The plans for the first project year, the status of correlation processing of VLBI radar experiments, the program of equipping of Bear Lakes RT-64, the preparation of the July radar session were discussed.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Alexander Pushkarev (CR7) and Alexander Dementiev (CR6) visited Evpatoria in July 2002 for 7 days for meeting with Yuriy Tomilin (CR4) and Igor Falkovich (CR4). The arranging of radar observations and status of transmitter and RT-70, the program of equipping of RT-70, the refurbishing of 50-cm optical telescope were discussed.
Alla Sochilina (CR3) visited Moscow in September for 1 day for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2), Victor Stepaniants (CR2) and representatives of observatories in Mondy and Zvenigorod to discuss the problem of establishing of single database of Russian Academy of Sciences.
Zigurds Sika (CO) visited Puschino in October 2002 for 4 days for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5). The results of first half project year, the status of VLB radar experiments, the program of equipping of Bear Lakes RT-64 and Kalyazin RT-70 were discussed.
Igor Molotov and Evgeny Molotov (CR7), and Vladimir Agapov (CR2) visited Houston, USA during four days for the participation in the World Space Congress, 34th COSPAR meeting and negotiations with ESA representative Prof. Walter Flury.
Igor Molotov (CR7) visited N. Novgorod in December 2002 for 2 days for meeting with Boris Lipatov (CR6) and Alexander Dementiev (CR6) to discuss the problems appearing due to dismissal the part of the CR7 team from Astro Space Center, and the current status of correlation processing, and the plans of producing of apparatuses for Bear Lakes RT-64 and Ventspils RT-32.
Ivar Shmeld (CO) visited Bear Lakes RT-64 in December 2002 for 2 days for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5), Ivan Kanaev (CR3) to discuss the obtained work progress, situation with CR7 and plans for next project half year.
Alla Sochilina (CR3) visited Moscow in December 2002 for 1 day for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2) to discuss the problem of developing of optical telescope network for the project goals.
Igor Molotov (CR7) and Alexander Konovalenko (CR4) visited Kiev in December 2002 for 2 days for meeting with representative of NPO "Saturn" to discuss the question of producing of L, S, X-band receivers for Evpatoria RT-70, Bear Lakes RT-64, Kalyazin RT-64 and Ventspils RT-32 and negotiations about joint optical observations with Goloseevo.
Alla Sochilina (CR3) visited Moscow in May 2003 for 1 day for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2) and representative of observatories in Mondy and Zvenigorod to discuss the arranging of project optical observations and the problem of preparing of first project catalogue of GEO-objects.
Ivar Shmeld (CO) visited Moscow in May 2003 for 4 days for the meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2), Yuriy Gorshenkov two personal computers (CR5) for discussion of obtained results and future plans and problems with equipping of Ventspils RT-32.
Gino Tuccari (CR1) visited Bear Lakes in June 2003 for 3 days for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5), Boris Lipatov (CR6) and Alexander Dementiev (CR6) to discuss the questions of near-real time radar VLBI, to install VLBR-interface, to discuss the problem of correlation of near-field signals and results of VLBI radar experiments. After this Gino Tuccari and Igor Molotov visited St-Petersburg for 3 days for meeting with Victor Lvov (CR3), Alla Sochilina (CR3), Irina Guseva (CR3), Alexander Deviatkin (CR3), Elena Katkova (CR3) to discuss the common progress of works and appearing problems, and the question of investigations of asteroids.
Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) visited St. Pustyn for 2 days in June 2003 for the meeting with Boris Lipatov (CR6) and Alexander Dementiev (CR6) to discuss the preparatory to July 2003 radar experiment, the obtained results of correlation and preparatory to trial near-real time VLB test.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Boris Lipatov and Alexander Dementiev visited Bear Lakes site in middle of July 2003 for two-days meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) and Vladimir Agapov (CR2). Then Molotov, Lipatov and Dementiev visited Evpatoria during one week for meeting with Alexander Pushkarev (CR7), Alexander Tshukh (CR4), Yuriy Tomilin (CR4), and Igor Falkovich (CR4) for preparing and carrying out the next radar experiment and discuss obtained results. In these dates, Igor Molotov visited Simeiz for meeting with Alexander Volvach (head of RT-22, CRAO), Vasiliy Rumiantsev (head of 64-cm CCD telescope, CRAO), Gennadiy Boris (producer of optical telescopes, SAI) for negotiations about joint radar and optical observations and producing of 22-cm optical telescope for CR4.
Alexander Pushkarev (CR7) visited Budapest, Hungary, in August 2003 during four days for the participation in the JENAM 2003 New Deal in European Astronomy: Trends and Perspectives in connection with 12-th European Meeting for Astronomy and Astrophysics (minisimposium: Radio Astronomy at 70: from Karl Jansky to microjansky), and the negotiations with representatives of the European VLBI Network.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Zakhariy Khutorovskiy (CR2) and Vladimir Agapov (CR2) visited Pulkovo in September 2003 for three days for meeting with Victor Lvov (CR3), Alla Sochilina (CR3), Irina Guseva (CR3), Alexander Deviatkin (CR3), Alexander Didenko (CR4), Rolan Kiladze (CR3) and representatives of ESA (Walter Flury and Thomas Shildknecht). The obtained project results on radar and optical observations, and space debris databases were discussed, the negotiations about coordinated observations of small GEO fragments were carried out.
Ivar Shmeld (CO) and Igor Falkovich (CR4) visited Moscow in October 2003 for 3 days for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Victor Stepaniants (CR2), Vladimir Agapov (CR2) and Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5). It was discussed the work plan for second project year.
Alla Sochilina visited Moscow for 1 day in December 2003 for meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7) and Vladimir Agapov for discussion of results of optical campaigns, data exchange and preparing of space debris catalogues.
Igor Molotov (CR7) visited N. Novgorod in March 2004 for 2 days for meeting with Alexander Dementiev (CR6), Alexander Antipenko (CR6), Maria Nechaeva (CR6), Nikolay Dugin (CR6) and director of Radio Physical Research Institute to discuss possibility of continuation of radar works without Boris Lipatov (head of CR6 was dead in February), to clear the status of correlation processing, prepare the equipping of Bear Lakes RT-64 with S/X receivers.
Ivar Shmeld (CO), Igor Molotov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev (CR6), Alexander Antipenko (CR6), Maria Nechaeva (CR6), Nikolay Dugin (CR6), Alexander Pushkarev (CR7), Alexey Zinoviev (CR7), Alexander Volvach (CRAO), Vladimir Samodurov (CR7) visited Bear Lakes RT-64 site near Moscow in April 2004 for five days meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov, planning future LFVN activities, learning of NRTV terminals and equipping of RT-64 with S/X receivers. In these dates, Igor Molotov (CR7), Maria Nechaeva (CR6), Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics for 1 day for meeting with Victor Stepaniants (CR2) and Andrey Tuchin (CR2) to discuss the results of correlation processing of radar observations, interpretation of obtained measurements and improving of processing procedure.
Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Moscow in June 2004 for 1 day meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2), Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5), Oleg Bykov (CR3) to discuss the preparing the next radar experiment. In these dates, Igor Molotov (CR7) had negotiations with representatives of NIS optical observatories - Mondy (Siberia, Russia), Mayaki (Odessa, Ukraine), Kourovka (Ural, Russia), Ussuriysk (Far East, Russia), Maydanak (Uzbekistan), Lviv (Ukraine), Dushak (Turkmenistan), Zelenchuk (Caucasus), Koshka (Crimea, Ukraine).
Maria Nechaeva (CR6) visited Pulkovo for three days in June 2004 for negotiations with Alla Sochilina (CR3) and Victor Lvov (CR3) for discussion of obtained results.
Igor Molotov and Vladimir Jazykov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev, Alexander Antipenko and Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Bear Lakes site for three-days meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) in middle of June 2004 to test new equipment and discuss plan of works for next year.
Vladimir Jazykov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev and Alexander Antipenko (CR6) visited Bear Lakes site for three-days meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) in middle of July 2004 to discuss the preparing the radar experiment and test the equipment.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev, Maria Nechaeva and Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Evpatoria in middle of July 2004 during one week for meeting with Alexander Pushkarev (CR7), Alexander Tshukh and Igor Falkovich (CR4) for preparing and carrying out the next radar experiment and discuss obtained results. In these dates, Igor Molotov visited Simeiz for meeting with Alexander Volvach (head of RT-22, CRAO) for negotiations about joint radar and optical observations and producing of 22-cm optical telescope for CR4.
Vladimir Jazykov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev, Alexander Antipenko and Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Bear Lakes site in September 2004 for two-days meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) in end of September to discuss the preparing the radar experiment and test the equipment.
Alexander Dementiev and Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Evpatoria in October 2004 during one week for meeting with Alexander Pushkarev (CR7), Alexander Tshukh and Igor Falkovich (CR4) for preparing and carrying out the next radar experiment and discuss obtained results.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Andrey Tuchin and Vladimir Shishov (CR2) visited Germany, Munich and Darmstadt for two-day meeting with representatives of ESOC (Rolf Muench, Trevor Morley, Manfred Warhaut, Javier De Vicente, Nicolas Bobrinsky et al) to discuss the possibility of involving the Evaptoria RT-70 and Bear Lakes RT-64 in work for control of European Deep Space Missions. As first step, it is planned VLBI experiment for Mars-Express in October 2005.
Irina Guseva (CR3) visited Moscow in October 2004 for two-day meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov and Vladimir Titenko (CR2). The plans of works with optical station at Ussuriysk were discussed. And then Irina Guseva visited Ussuriysk for the 40-days staying in the Ussuriysk Astrophysical observatory for space debris observations and training the staff.
Maria Nechaeva visited Toledo, Spain in October 2004 during four days for the participation in the European VLBI conference and negotiations with representatives of the European VLBI network.
Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) visited N. Novgorod in beginning of December for two-days meeting with Maria Nechaeva and Alexander Dementiev (CR6), and Vladimir Samodurov (Puschno Radio Astronomy Observatory). The plans of VLBI works and development new equipment were discussed.
Igor Molotov (CR7) and Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Beijing, China in December 2004 for one-day meeting with Mrs. Liu Jing from Space Environment Prediction Center of CAS to discuss the collaboration in field of space debris observations.
Ivar Shmeld (CO) visited Moscow in middle of December 2004 for two-day meetings with Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2) and Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) to discuss the results and plans including the equipping the Ventspils RT-32.
Gino Tuccari (CR1), Igor Molotov and Vladimir Jazykov (CR7), Alexander Dementiev, Maria Nechaeva, Nikolay Dugin, Alexander Antipenko (CR6), Vladimir Titenko (CR2) visited Pulkovo, St.-Petersburg in end of December 2004 for four-day meeting with Alla Sochilina, Irina Guseva, Alexander Deviatkin, Victor L'vov (CR3), and Mansur Ibragimov (Maidanak, Uzbekistan). It was discussed the obtained results and future plans of development of radar and optical project cooperation, the complex of experiments was carried out with NRTV-terminals. It was agreed to start the work on creation of new correlator, the agreement about collaboration with Maidanak was signed.
Ivar Shmeld visited Moscow in March 2005 for one-day visit with Igor Molotov (CR7) and Vladimir Agapov (CR2) to discuss the results and plans.
Nikolay Dugin (CR6) visited Bear Lakes in April for two-day meeting with Yuriy Gorshenkov (CR5) and Igor Molotov (CR7) to discuss the plans of works for 2005.
Igor Molotov (CR7), Vladimir Agapov (CR2), Leonid Litvinenko (CR4) visited Germany, Darmstadt in April 2005 for three-day visit to have the negotiations with representatives of ESOC (Rudiguer Jenh, Heiner Klinkrad, Thomas Schildknecht) about possibility of collaboration in field of observing the small GEO-fragments.
Irina Guseva (CR3) visited Moscow for one-day meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7) and Vladimir Agapov (CR2) to discuss the results of optical observations in Pulkovo, Ussuriysk and Maidanak, and the future expedition in Bolivia.
Ivar Shmeld and Lina Osipova (CO) visited Moscow in May 2005 for three-days meeting with Igor Molotov (CR7) and Vladimir Kuprianov (CR3) to discuss preparing the final report, publication of results, plans for development the optical cooperation with Latvia, and the preparing the pre-proposal for INTAS Call 2005.
The time planning was in accordance with the Work Program generally. There were no any significant deviations from the Work Programme.
1) The quantity of teams is enough high (8), therefore there were some problems in concentrating of joint activities in necessary aspects. I.e. during preparing of VLBI radar experiments when delay with contribution of one partner resulted the common problem with preparing of experiments (this appeared regularly during the preparing of he space debris part of experiments when common radar session was already started, but space debris schedule was not finished still). And during preparing of this report, when it was very hard to receive the reports of some teams. Also some teams too frequently forgotten to thank INTAS support in their publications, therefore indicated project references were provided by CR3 and CR7 mostly.
2) In the field of e-mail exchanging regular hard problems was appeared because of computer viruses. From one side, the struggle with viruses required too many time, with another side, it prevented to normal communications when virus block system blocked useful messages of partners also. Therefore project managers were forced to arrange few different e-mail boxes to receive all messages with guarantee.
3) The problem with transfer of goods was appeared during sending of NRTV-terminals from Noto, Italy (CR1) to Moscow, Russia (CR7) in April, 2004. The shipping company Federal Express informed sender that equipment in parcel not allowed for import in Russia and proposed to disintegrate the goods. The joint efforts of CR1 and CR7 allowed to solve the unclear situation. Also there is the problem with transferring the new CCD-matrixes from USA to Russia, the preparing of necessary customs paper is very complicated, therefore, CR7 and CR3 arranges the transferring with NIS persons as private baggage.
4) Some problem was caused by perturbation in four project teams.
CR6: Leading project scientist and leader of CR6 team, Boris Lipatov, was dead in January 2004. Boris work on too many fields of project researches and elaborations. And it was biggest lost for the project and NIS science in the whole. Dr. Nikolay Dugin was invited to be new team leader of CR6.
CR4: Mr. Yuriy Tomilin, team leader of CR4 finished his work in NCSC and leaved Evpatoria. Mr. Vladimir Nesteruk was invited to be new team leader of CR4.
CR7: Mr. Igor Molotov, team leader of CR7 and most part of teams (Dr. Alexander Pushkarev, Dr. Evgeniy Molotov, Dr. Edward Ayrapetian, Nikolay Sukorkin) finished their work in ASC. The keeping of CR7 is very important for fulfillment of project goals (i.e. Igor Molotov is scientific-technical project manager) and it was solved to form CR7 as team of Andromeda company ltd. where CR7 team members have job for partial basis. Also CR7 was added with new team members (Dr. Alexey Zinoviev, Ivan Puchinin, Vladimir Jazykov, Nikolay Sukorkin).
CR1: Host institute of the team, Istituto di Radioastronomia was transferred in end of 2004 from CNR (the Italian National Research Council http://www.cnr.it) to INAF Istituto Nazionale di Astro Fisica (National Institute for Astrophysics,
http://www.inaf.it/index0.html). This resulted a first financial problem of the project - see below.
5) The project met some financial problems. First problem is linked with transference of CR1 host institute from CNR to INAF in end of 2004-beginning 2005. In results, the 2000 Euro of CR1 were received in CNR in the time when CR1 was already under INAF, and CR1 have not possibility to obtain this money and to spend its for project goals. CR1 team loaned part of the necessary money for work fulfillment in its host institute, but it is necessary to find a way to return the money in back. A possible solution to this problem could be found in these months as contacts have been undertaken. Whether at the end it will not be solved INTAS will be required to get money back. Second project financial problem is that INTAS not saw the transferences of parts of money between project teams that were made after INTAS approving and were mentioned in advance in the second periodic project reports:
And at last the fulfillment of project required some redistribution of the money between cost categories.
6) Last problem was caused by political complications between CR7 team and administration of their host institute, Astro Space Center. The problem appeared due to administration's attempt to use the 35% of the funding of another INTAS project 2001-IA-02 to support tasks not mentioned in the Project (team CR7 leader Igor Molotov is also coordinator of that Project). As a result, some part of CR7 including team leader, left the Centre and now is affiliated with the Bear Lakes Radio-astronomy Station as team of Andromeda company. In common this almost had not influence on project fulfillment.
It is necessary for INTAS to request from CNR the returning in back of the 2000 Euro of CR1, so that in future this money would be again transferred to bank account number of their new host organization, in case a solution will not be found.
It is necessary for INTAS to take into consideration the three transferences of the money between teams (CO => CR6, 2000 Euro; CR4 => CR1, 1000 Euro; CR1 => CR7, 1000 Euro) that were earlier approved by INTAS, but not indicated in last Financial Overview); and to approve some redistribution of money between cost categories inside of project teams.
It is necessary to remember about congealed INTAS-IA-2001-02, BEAR LAKES RT-64: VLBI site for Astronomy, Astrometry and Geodynamics. Now it is the time to reconsider the question with this project. The expenditures for modernization and renovation of the 64-m radio telescope in Bear Lakes are too high for its owners and there is not any government financing for this goal. Therefore some chance exists that this RT-64 may be stopped, while the Bear Lakes is single large radio telescope in Russia that participated in VLBI observations. It is very reliable VLBI-point that always produces stable scientific output and its participation is important for success of the radar and other kind observations. The continuation INTAS-IA-2001-02 will allow to continue the VLBI radar observations of the Solar system bodies and will promote the cooperation of Bear Lakes RT-64 with European VLBI network and International VLBI Service (project work programme foresee the purchasing of Mk-5 recording terminal and producing of large band Base Band Converter). So, to make more easier the keeping Bear Lakes RT-64 in operation and hence its participating in the NIS VLBI and observations, to start the collaboration with international VLBI networks (EVN and IVS), it may be recommended the continuation of the financing of the INTAS infrastructure action INTAS-2001-IA-02 "Bear Lakes RT-64, VLBI site for Astronomy, Astrometry and Geodynamics".
