Space Research Institute (SRI)

The Space Research Institute (SRI) was created in 1996 by the joint decision of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) and the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU) for the organization, realization and coordination of space research and technology development in Ukraine.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES:
- Fundamental and applied research in the field of sciences about the space, the near-earth space and the Earth, life and microgravity;
- Study, analysis and generalization of the world space science achievements and determination of their possible applications in Ukraine; organization of international cooperation in the field of space research;
- Development of new principles and improvement of the existing technologies in navigation and spacecraft movement control;
- Development of space information systems;
- Development of experiment planning methods for space research;
- Design and operation of space observations data transfer systems;
- Expertise of proposals on promising investigations and projects performed; organization, carrying out and participation in competitions of research projects.

SPACE RESEARCH
In the framework of studying geodynamic processes using satellite information, the Institute conducts research into the mechanisms of the Earth’s magnetic field generation and evolution and anomalous phenomena in the Earth's crust and lithosphere.
A system approach is developed to support activities on the Earth’s remote sensing targeted at solving environmental problems and those of natural resources.
The solar-terrestrial conjunctions and processes are investigated in the following directions: dynamic processes occurring in the atmosphere and on the surface of the Solar system planets; phenomena called forth by the Sun gravitational waves; energy flows influence on ionospheric processes.
Space research development tendencies are analyzed and the most promising space research directions are determined.

INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS FOR SPACE STUDY AND USE
To enable creation of a new generation of space telescopes with active adaptive optics, an adaptive system to control telescope reflection quality is developed and image enhancement ways are investigated at the Institute.
A project of a satellite communications system for scientific data transmission with specified priorities is developed.
Creation of the Information Processing Center is under way. The Center will process scientific information obtained from domestic and foreign space vehicles and coordinate efforts on formation and operation of the National data bank of space research results.
The Institute takes part in formation of scientific and applied research and develops methods of optimal planning and control of the set of experiments performed on board the International Space Station. The first Ukrainian cosmonaut Leonid K. Kadenyuk is a member of the Space Research Institute staff.