Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Byurakan Observatory after Viktor Hambardzumian is going to join to Russian project to study the so called "space garbage.”

For the first time, the Russian side showed interest in cooperation with Byurakan Observatory still in 2010. The delegation of Russian specialists visited Armenia at that time, following which a memorandum on cooperation was signed. The Russian experts visited Byurakan again last week.

Project Coordinator, Director General of “Project- technique” Scientific-production enterprise Mikhail Kardashenko said in the interview to Mediamax that the project implies monitoring of the near space, study of the population of space garbage.

Hundreds of thousands of fragments of space garbage pose a threat to flying machines. Besides, the debris may fall onto Earth.

As the Director of Byurakan Observatory Hayk Harutyunian told Mediamax, the participation in the project envisages constant monitoring over the definite part of the sky. “Our participation in the project envisages detection of garbage and calculation of orbital debris,” the Director noted.

Hayk Harutyunian noted that the participation in the project will allow reconstructing and modernizing two telescopes- 1 meter Schmidt telescope and 2,6-meter telescope.

These telescopes were built in 60-70s of last century. After the modernization the telescopes will be  digitalized. The 1-meter telescope has been out of operation since 1989. The Observatory has begun its reconstruction since 2006. With the partial financial assistance of Viva-Cell MTS Company the electronics was renewed.

The control system of the 2,6-meter telescope should be also digitalized, as well as light detectors should be renewed. The big telescope allows detecting minute particles both on one and several orbits.

Hayk Harutyunian noted that the participation in the Russian project will, by no means, affect the basic activity of Byurakan Observatory. According to him, after the modernization of telescopes, their efficiency will grow and better results may be achieved in a short period of time.

 “Project-technique” Director General Mikhail Kardashenko noted that Armenia will become a vital point in the chain of member states participating in the project. “We were stuck by the condition of the instruments. After the modernization the 2,6-meter telescope will become a unique one, and will have no analogues in the world,” he said.

The modernization of two telescopes will start in 2012 and the Russian side is going to allocate $ 2-2,5mln within 2 years.

A powerful automatic computer station will be set up on the territory of Byurakan Observatory for the beginning of works. Three new 30-35sm telescopes will be delivered to the Observatory. The near space monitoring station is due to be launched by this winter. Investments will total nearly $ 2mln.

“The Byurakan Observatory will be equipped with modern instruments to study the sky, due to which our Armenian colleagues can make a vital contribution to the world science,” Mikhail Kardashenko stated.

Armenia’s participation in space garbage study project is estimated to last over 10 years. The Russian side is interested in the modernization of other 6 telescopes on the territory of Byurakan Observatory.