Feb 17th 2008
Star City, Russia
Energia Rocket & Space Corporation (RSC Energia)
Today Richard and I visited the Energia Rocket & Space Corporation (RSC Energia). RSC Energia is a large Russian aerospace company which evolved from Sergei Korolev’s design bureau, later known as Energia NPO and now as Energia RSC. It is currently involved in a variety of projects, including development of the Russian modules of the International Space Station, the second stage of the Angara rocket (led by the Khrunichev Center), and several series of communications satellites. Energia RSC began as Department No. 3 of Special Design Bureau NII-88 which was given the task, in August 1946, of developing Soviet rockets based on the German V-2. Headed by Sergei Korelev, this was transformed in 1950 into OKB-1 and developed all Soviet long-range ballistic missiles. After Korolev’s death in 1966, his first deputy Vasiliy Mishin was appointed chief designer of the bureau and from the mid-1960s till 1974, OKB-1 focused on the Soviet manned lunar program.
Richard and I attended a meeting with an assortment of scientists and interpreters from RSC Energia to obtain the green light regarding an experiment he was planning to undertake in his October flight. Richard was planning some Protein crystallization research experiments on board the ISS.
RSC Energia has to approve all tests and may even add a monetary surcharge for the test to be carried out.
Richard will operate an EZ protein crystallization experiment loaded with proteins, many of which have important cellular functions and are often associated with common human diseases. Having access to these superior crystals will enable future researchers to learn more about the molecular structure of these proteins, which is essential for protein engineering and drug design. As part of my contribution to science and molecular experiments,
I am honoured to assist Richard in these protein crustallization experiments during my upcoming flight.
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