Boris Chertok

Biography

Professor Boris E. Chertok and Dr. Nikolai N. Sheremetevsky have made invaluable contributions to the Soviet/Russian space program, most notably the control systems of the Mir space station. For 15 years, research conducted on the Mir fostered breakthroughs in astronomy, space science, medicine and other disciplines.

During the Mir's development, Professor Chertok was responsible for the electrical energy and electronic systems of the orbital complex. His design of the orientation control system and the diagnostics system enabled the control of all onboard systems. Dr. Sheremetevsky championed the development of new gyroscopes to orient and stabilize both the Mir and Salute space stations. His teams developed gyroscopic control systems that achieved an accuracy of less than one degree/minute, a system that orients solar panels for a 90-kW power supply, and engines that provide automatic orientation of the ship's communications antennas.

Professor Chertok joined the Research Institute of Aircraft Industry in 1930 as an electrical engineer. From 1945 to 1947, he served as the Head of the Research Institute on Rocket Technique in Bleiherode, Germany, and there he worked as deputy principal designer on control systems for rockets and space apparatus from 1947 to 1951. Professor Chertok served as deputy to the principal designer at the Central Design Bureau from 1951 to 1966 and at the Rocket and Space Energy Corporation from 1966 to 1992. At Energy he serves as head research consultant. He is a professor at Bauman Moscow Technical Unversity and Head of the Chair (Control of Movement) of the Moscow Physical-Technical Institute. An academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Chertok is a recipient of the highest award in Russia, Hero of Socialist Labor, and a recipient of the Lenin Prize.