On December 2019, it is 100 years since the birth of Mykola Herasiuta, doctor of engineering, professor, corresponding member of USSR Academy of Science, a rocket scientist, and one of the pioneers in domestic space-rocket hardware.

During his visit to Dnipro on 27 September, Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine in 1994-2004, former General Director of Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant and First Deputy General Designer of Yuzhnoye SDO, told about Herasiuta’s outstanding contribution to the development of space rocketry:

“Herasiuta is a prominent figure in the space rocketry.  Without exaggeration, he can be considered the creator of Ukrainian scientific and technical school of rocket flight theory. Combat rockets based on Herasiuta’s designs were the foundation of strategic rocket forces and allowed the state government to talk to the world as an equal.

Another great achievement of Mykola Herasiuta is that missiles were not disposed of but given a new life by transforming them into launch vehicles. This is a tremendously significant invention indeed!

Mr Herasiuta was a prominent designer and talented manager. We should tell more about such people as Herasiuta and inspire our youth with this worthy example. Today at DNU Student Palace, I awarded grants to the best students of the Physical and Technical Faculty. We have many talented young people and we should invite them to the space industry by telling about Yuzhnoye SDO success, achievements and great work of those who laid the foundation for the company and industry.”