International Astronomical Union’s Committee on Naming Asteroids of the Solar System decided to give the asteroid No. 18814 the name of Oleg Ivanovsky, Russian veteran of space and rocket industry.
Asteroid No. 18814, orbiting inner part of Main asteroid belt, was discovered in Lowell Observatory in 1999. The planet is believed to have diameter between 2 and 6 km. Now the cosmic body will have a proud name of “Ivanovsky”.
Oleg Ivanovsky was born in Moscow region in 1922. Ivanovsky was the project engineer of “Vostok” ship and deputy of chief designer of first Earth’s artificial satellite. The scientist headed development of lunar automatic stations, Moon rovers, earth satellites and took an active part in sending Yuri Gagarin to space.
Currently retired Oleg Ivanovsky heads museum of rocket and space industry.
Source: Science & Technology