Domestic and international space and scientific community suffered a severe loss ‒ Alexander DEGTYAREV, Yuzhnoye SDO General Designer – General Director, outstanding rocket designer and academician passed away on November 24.

Alexander Degtyarev enjoyed great authority with domestic and foreign experts in aerospace engineering, scientists and heads of world space agencies. He was well known in the USA, countries of the European Union, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and many other countries of the world. Thanks to his wide experience, an active stand, perseverance and will to action a lot of international space projects collaborating Ukraine became a reality.

He has been consistent advocate of international cooperation of aerospace technology developers, supporter of strengthening fruitful relations with the international space community. Holding the post of the Yuzhnoye SDO General Director – General Designer, Alexander Degtyarev did his best to preserve, promote and develop the domestic enterprises so that the Ukrainian space industry took the rightful place among the leading spacefaring countries of the world.

Alexander Degtyarev has been talented administrator, brilliant professional, paragon of selfless and honest service to one’s home country. Combination of personal and professional qualities, experience, responsibility, awareness and ability to organize successful teamwork have been his distinctive features.

Alexander Degtyarev’s legacy will be the foundation for the future Ukrainian space industry for many years to come. The cause, to which he has given almost half a century, will live on!

A. Degtyarev has worked at Yuzhnoye SDO since 1975: as an engineer, senior engineer, lead engineer, head of group, head of Marketing & Commercial Activities division, Deputy General Designer-General Director in Foreign Economic Activity; First Deputy General Designer-General Director in System Engineering and Integrated Business Development.  Since 2010 – Yangel Yuzhnoye State Design Office General Designer-General Director.

He gained experience in design, development, testing and operation of strategic missile complexes and space launch systems. He made a considerable practical contribution to the development  and  upgrading  of  the missile complexes, and to the upgrading and commercial use of the Zenit and Dnepr launch systems, several spacecraft and satellite systems, into implementation of well-known international cooperation projects such as Sea Launch, Land Launch, Dnepr, Antares, Vega.

With his active participation the Ukrainian enterprises and scientific organizations have been integrated into unified cooperation and Cosmos association of high-technology companies was created, strong links established with many space-related world companies, space agencies from many countries and organizations of Europe, the USA, China, Egypt, Japan, Republic of Korea and other countries.

Author of about 200 research scientific publications, articles and papers; author of more than 50 inventions and patents being the basis for competitive space launch system technologies.

He paid much attention to development of specialized science and to strengthening of research and production liaison between Yuzhnoye and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, academic institutes, and institutions of higher education in many regions of Ukraine.

Academician of The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of engineering, Ph.D in Economics, member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), Vice-President of the International Astronautical Federation, Secretary of the Ukrainian regional division of the IAA.

He was made Honored worker of Ukrainian space industry, Honored engineering worker of Ukraine, Honored man of science & technology of Ukraine. Winner of the State Prize of Ukraine, decorated with Vasiliy Utkin Gold Medal, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers prize, Yangel NASU prize. Decorated with the Order of Merit, 3rd and 2nd class.

Tragic news of Alexander Degtyarev’s death was taken in Yuzhnoye SDO with great sorrow and anguish. We offer our deepest condolences to family and friends.

May he rest in peace, а cherished memory of him will remain in our hearts.