Anatoly Vasilievich Agarkov (Russian: Анатолий Васильевич Агарков, IPA: [anatˈoɭʲij vasʲˈiɭjjivʲit͡ʃʲ aɡˈɑrkʌf]; 21 September 1949, Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk, USSR) is a Soviet and Ukrainian scientist and spacecraft engineer, one of the key figures in Sea Launch, Antares, and Zenit projects.
Life and Career
In 1976, Anatoly Agarkov graduated from Dnipropetrovsk State University (now the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University) with a degree in Electromechanics and proceeded to join the Yangel Yuzhnoe design office, a structure known today as KB Pivdenne.[1][2][3] There, he got the benefit of learning from top Soviet and Ukrainian scientists and aerospace engineers of the time — Mikhail Galas, Victor Grachev, Vladimir Komanov, and Stanislav Konyukhov — while working his way up from a regular engineer to design lead supervising the Zenit launch vehicles programme (1976–1992), deputy CEO (1993–1996), chief spacecraft designer (1996–2001), deputy chief designer for testing operations (2005–2013), and deputy chief designer for testing and flight operations (2013–2021).
In the two latter capacities, he oversaw the strategic development and implementation of Sea Launch and Land Launch programmes[4] as well as the design and testing of Tsyklon-2, Tsyklon-3, Tsyklon-4, and Dnepr space vehicle systems. In addition, he was in charge of the adaptation of Zenit rockets for the Odyssey ocean-based launch platform.[5] Agarkov also kick-started the Zenit2-3SL launches which were commemorated in Ukraine by a special 5 Hryven coin,[6] and introduced the DemoSatpayload[7][8] for the first Boeing Sea Launch mission. He proceeded to apply the Zenit vehicles for international satellite launches such as the Globalstar series.[9]
Since 2021, Anatoly Agarkov has been an advisor to the CEO of Pivdenne design office.
He is the holder of several patents, notably for a land-based factory testing system[13][14] and for preparation and launch of a rocket from a sea-based launch site (jointly with Stanislav Konyukhov).[15]
^Antoniuk, Daryna (2021-09-06). "kyivpost.com". Ukraine’s spacecraft designer Pivdenne goes back into orbit. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
^Kulidi, Natalia (2021-05-13). "rubryka.com". Pivdenmash today: how Ukraine's largest rocket and space enterprise lives. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
^Красномовец, Павел (2021-12-27). "forbes.ua". Космические предприятия Украины создали тысячи ракет и сотни спутников. Почему они не приспособились к миру без холодной войны. Archived from the original on 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
^Polyakov, Max (2023-11-11). "maxpolyakov.com". Soviet space heritage. Part 1: infrastructure. Archived from the original on 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
^"nasa.gov". NASA Partner Orbital Sciences Test Launches Antares Rocket. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
^Ponomarenko, Illia (2019-04-18). "kyivpost.com". Space launcher built with Ukrainian components takes off to International Space Station. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.