Ask Mikhail Marov

Professor Marov graduated from the Moscow Technical University in 1958 and received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Physics in 1964 and full doctorate degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1970. From 1958-61 he worked as a research engineer in the S.P. Korolev Space Corporation Energia. In 1962 he joined M.V. Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics as a research scientist. Since 1968 he has held the position of Head of the Department of Planetary Physics and Aeronomy, and since 1977 he has been Cheif Scientist of the Institute. The principal scientific interests of Professor Marov are the fundamental problems of space physics, especially solar system studies, incorporating both theoretical problems of space physics of rarefied gas dynamics and chemical kinetics with application to planetary atmospheres and aeronomy, along with experiments and studies of terrestrial and extraterrestrial atmospheres. He has been deeply involved in many major endeavors of the Russian space program, from the first satellites and space flight, to the moon and planets. He worked as Principle Project Scientist and/or the Principal Investigator on the VENERA and MARS Lander series, which made important pioneering studies of Venus and Mars. In the last decade he has been involved with the VEGA and PHOBOS missions. Most recently he has been involved in the Mars 96/98 projects. He has authored over 150 publications in Russian and international refereed journals and has also published several books and monographs. In 1989 Professor Marov began teaching during the summer session at the International Space University.