LITHUANIAN SPACE ASSOCIATION 2010/2011 + Content 3 Space-related milestones 6 R&D and innovation policy 8 Engineering and ICT 10 Materials science and physical and chemical technologies 12 Life sciences and biotechnology 14 Natural resources and agriculture 16 Fundamental sciences 17 Space Science and Technology Institute 18 Members of the Lithuanian Space Association © 2010/2011 Lithuanian Space Association. + Space-related milestones Pre-space period Lithuanian constructors had built 100 aircraft, 70 of which were of Lithuanian design. 1650 - Kazimieras www.space-lt.eu Simonavičius, born in the Great Space period Duchy of Lithuania, a general of 1950s–1980s - Lithuanian scientists and engineers artillery, gunsmith, and pioneer widely participated in Soviet space and military industry of rocketry, in his book Artis programmes. Magnae Artilleriae pars prima Lithuanian astronomers resumed activity at the Astronomical proposed the idea of multi-stage Observatory of Vilnius University and actively participated rockets. in the satellite observation programme (1957–1964). 1753 - one of the oldest 1969 - the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory was founded astronomical observatories in (main instrument—165 cm refl ector). The main fi eld of Europe was founded at Vilnius astrophysical research in Lithuania is the study of the University. The rector of Vilnius Galaxy by employing multicolour stellar photometry. Based University, Martynas Počobutas on this experience, astrometric and photometric stellar data (1728–1810), became a famous bases for the orientation systems of Soviet spacecraft were astronomer and a member of produced. the Royal Academy of Science Lithuanian aviators continued their traditions mostly in the in London. George Sabler fi eld of aviation sport. 1969 - the Lithuanian Federation of and Matvei Gusev pioneered Aviation Sport founded a sports aviation plant, which grew astrophysics research (1861) into Sport Aircraft, Ltd. (1995). Lithuanian glider pilots were at the Vilnius observatory among the best in the former Soviet Union. and installed the world’s fi rst photographic solar patrol (1868–1876). 1851 - Aleksandras Griškevičius published the book “Parolot zmudzina” (“Samogitian Steam-fl yer”) describing an aerostat and a steam-powered fl ying machine. 1919 - the Kaunas Aviation Plant was founded. In 1922 the fi rst Lithuanian aircraft, the DOBI-1, designed by Jurgis Dobkevičius, performed a test fl ight. 1927- the Lithuanian Aero Club was established and began to develop civil aviation. Gliding started to gain popularity in Lithuania in 1931 and several original gliders were designed by Bronius Oškinis. 1933 - the aviators Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas crossed the Atlantic, fl ying for 37 K. Semenavicius hours and covering 6400 km in multistage rocket design their plane, the Lituanica. Their fl ight in bad weather conditions LAK-20T and without radio, autopilot and parachutes was an outstanding The latest LAK-20T glider meets the highest standards of achievement of that time. the gliding industry, and it is constructed by incorporating Antanas Gustaitis designed a modern composite materials and protruded carbon rods. series of airplanes under a name The Institute of Botany studied plant physiology in zero ANBO. 1934 - three ANBO-4 gravity conditions. Lithuanian scientists designed micro- performed a well-known fl ight greenhouse and controlled gravity devices which were 50 litas coin issued around Europe, covering a total to honour of used on the Soviet orbital stations Salyut and Mir and on Kazimieras Semenavicius of 10,000 km. By World War II, unmanned satellites. 3 The Lithuanian Energy Institute took part in the development Lithuanians in space programs abroad of a nuclear reactor for spacecraft and investigated materials at high temperature and supersonic speed. The Institute Many scientists, engineers, and spacecraft pilots of of Biochemistry developed biosensors for life support and Lithuanian origin participated in Soviet space programmes. 1969 - the first cosmonaut of Lithuanian origin, Aleksey www.space-lt.eu bio-waste recovery systems. Biosensors for the detection of more than 20 biologically active compounds in fluids and Yeliseyev-Kuraitis, entered space on board the spaceship air were designed. Both institutes participated in the Soviet Soyuz and took part in three successful space missions. space programme Mars. Beginning in the 1970s, planetologist George Burba An imaging quantum-counting detector for space applications was involved in the Luna/Lunokhod, Mars, and Venera was developed at the Institute of Physics. The Institute of programmes. Semiconductor Physics designed sensors to measure 1988 - Rimantas Stankevičius was scheduled to become a high power microwave pulses for space communication commander of the Soviet space shuttle Buran. He became systems. The Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University a test pilot and joined the cosmonaut force, taking part as a developed ultraviolet and infrared sensitive detectors for reserve crewman of the Soyuz spaceship several times. space applications; photo-detector arrays were used for More than one hundred scientists and engineers of the tests of the robot vision system of Lunokhod (the Soviet Lithuanian origin have been involved in space activities lunar rover). and space missions at NASA (U.S.A.): Arvydas Kliore 1980s - Lithuanians contributed to the Soviet space shuttle (Mariner, Pioneer, Venus, Galileo, and Cassini), Anthony (Buran) programme. The Lithuanian Textile Institute Dobrovolskis (Pioneer and Venus), Vytenis Vasyliunas developed technology for the heat insulation panels for (Voyager and Galileo), Arvydas Vaisnys (Mars Global the shuttle and designed working suits and underwear for Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars cosmonauts. Kaunas University of Technology designed an Reconnaissance Orbiter), Romualdas Kasuba (Saturn IV ultrasonic flow-meter for the Energy-Buran programme. and Lunar Excursion Module), Martynas Kregzde (Apollo 1990s - Lithuanian scientists and engineers lost direct and the Space Shuttle programmes), Julius Jodele (Ranger access to Russian hi-tech space and military programmes. and Mariner), and many others. However, the expertise that had been gained was used in Algirdas Avizienis has developed principles of fault-tolerant numerous NATO and European R&D programmes, which design for computer components used in space. helped to develop further the R&D and technological More than one hundred scientists and engineers of industries, making them suitable for participation in the Lithuanian origin have been involved in space activities European space programme. and space missions at NASA (U.S.A.): Arvydas Kliore 4 Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas flight over New York www.space-lt.eu Space shuttle Buran (Mariner, Pioneer, Venus, Galileo, and Cassini), Anthony Dobrovolskis (Pioneer and Venus), Vytenis Vasyliunas (Voyager and Galileo), Arvydas Vaisnys (Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), Romualdas Kasuba (Saturn IV and Lunar Excursion Module), Martynas Kregzde (Apollo and the Space Shuttle programmes), Julius Jodele (Ranger and Mariner), and many others. Algirdas Avizienis has developed principles of fault- tolerant design for computer components used in space. More >> information at www.space-lt.eu/en/ lithuania-and-space/ history Lunar module of Apollo 11 mission. Photo: NASA 5 + R&D and innovation policy of Lithuania www.space-lt.eu Signing of Cooperation Agreement between Lithuania and European Space Agency, October 2010 Lithuania became the third Baltic country to sign a the framework of this cooperation Lithuanian scientists Cooperation Agreement with European Space Agency and businessmen will get acquainting with standardization (ESA). and certification requirements imposed by ESA on space Peter Hulsroj, ESA’s Director of Legal Affairs and External technologies, products and services. They will also receive Relations, and Dainius Kreivys, Lithuanian Minister of advises and have access to other relevant and necessary Economy, signed this outstanding document on October information. the 7th 2010 in Vilnius. The Agreement will guarantee The signature of the Cooperation Agreement took place scientific, technical and organizational assistance from at the opening session of the 1st International Conference the ESA professionals with no financial obligations. Within on “Space Economy in the Multipolar World” SEMW 2010 6 organized by Lithuanian Space Association (LSA). This conference was a milestone event for the forthcoming Lithuanian space activities that brought together members of Government, industry officials and space policy experts in order to discuss policy, economic and technology trends in this field. The attention was paid to innovative and cost www.space-lt.eu effective approaches, including microsatellite development and use in the Baltic region. SEMW 2010 was the kick-off event for the implementation of the first Lithuanian space research programme. LSA envisages to organize more such international events in the nearest future. October 2010 Lithuanian Space Association (LSA) was appointed as a regional coordinator for nano/micro-scale satellite contest Nano-satellite Constellation Mission Idea, organized by AXELSPACE Company, Japan. LSA organized a wide range of regional events and seminars to form an interest group for creating ideas for this exciting event. This is an excellent chance for scientists and youth to participate in development of the