Roald Sagdeev wins 1992 Tate Medal

JAN 02, 1992

In recognition of his pivotal contributions to the development of the space physics program in the former Soviet Union and his leadership in supporting and advancing broad internationl cooperation in the study of physical phenomena in space.

About the Winner

Roald Sadgeev has served on numerous boards and committees of scientific and academic societies including the Council of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy, and the Stockholm Environmental Institute. From 1975 to 1980 he was Vice-President of COSPAR, the international space research council. Sagdeev was one of the creators of the quasilinear theory of plasmas and contributed to the understanding of collisionless shock waves in fusion plasmas and plasmas in space. In chaos theory he is known for his work on chaos of magnetic surfaces. His work in space included leading the international Vega project to study Comet Halley. He has published several books on these subjects.

In addition he has worked on space physics, planetary research and astrophysics, as well as arms control, science policy, global security, and the environment. Sadgeev was Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in 1987-1988, and was elected to the People’s Congress of Deputies of the USSR. He advised President Gorbachev on space and arms control at the summit meetings in Geneva, Washington, and Moscow.