The founder of space research in Armenia is Prof. Grigor Gurzadyan, a full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
Garni Laboratory of Space Astronomy (GLCA) was established in 1973 on the basis of the Department of Space Astronomy of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (1964-1968), later, the Branch of the Byurakan Observatory for Space Research (1968-1973). In 1992, GLCA was transformed into the Garni Institute of Space Astronomy (GICA). At certain periods of time, the organization was part of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia, the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Defense Industry of the USSR.
The work carried out at GIKA actually traces the history of space astronomy, since the first launch by Armenian astronomers under the leadership of G. Gurzadyan was carried out on February 15, 1961 during a solar eclipse.
The founder of the institute and its director until 2002 was Grigor Gurzadyan. Such key figures as Eduard Arutyunyan, Pavel Dobychin, Areg Dzharakyan, Alexander Kashin, Eduard Kazaryan, Marat Krmoyan, Ashot Zakharyan, Evgeny Saryan, Radik Babayan, Georgiy Loretsyan, Eduard Nalbandyan, Eddie Nersisyan, Eduard Mnatsakanyan and Julietta Oganesyan made a great contribution to the success of space research in Armenia.
The activities of the GIKA consisted of research in the field of space astronomy, and included theoretical and technological-experimental parts, as well as the design of space telescopes and their components, participation in the training of cosmonauts to conduct these experiments in orbit and participation in the work of the Flight Control Center during flight operations.
The space equipment was created in cooperation with the following organizations:
- RSC Energia – Rocket and Space Corporation ENERGIA named after S. P. Korolev (Moscow)
- NPO L. N. Korolev – Scientific and Production Association named after S. A. Lavochkina (Khimki)
- GKNPC – M. V. Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Moscow)
- PO Polet – POLET Production Association (Omsk)
- KOMZ – Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant (Kazan)
- TsKB Foton – Central Design Bureau PHOTON (Kazan)
- TsSKB Progress – State Research and Production Rocket and Space Center (Samara)
- IKI RAS – Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow)
- FIAN – P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences (Moscow)
- VNIIEM – All-Russian Research Institute of Electromechanics named after A. G. Iosifyana (Moscow)
- GOI – State Optical Institute named after S. I. Vavilov (St. Petersburg)
- LOMO – Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association (St. Petersburg)
- KrAO – Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Nauchny settlement, Crimea)
Last Updated on 2024.12.20