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Nikita Nikolaevich Moiseev celebrates his sixtieth birthday
U.S.S.R. Comput. MathsMath. Phys. Vol. 17 pp. l-2 0 Pergamon Press Ltd. 1978. Printed in Great Britain
0041-5553/77/0801-0001$07.50/O
NIKITA NIKOLAEVICH MOISEEV CELEBRATES HIS SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY* ON 23
August 1977 Nikita Nikolaevich Moiseev, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, participant in the second world war, and a celebrated scholar in the fields of mathematics and mechanics, celebrated his sixtieth birthday. Moiseev’s research has been concerned with both fundamental and applied problems in many new fields of natural science. Both his research and his organizational work in science have been typified by a realization of the scope for the development of applied mathematics linked with the developing needs of the country and his inborn unquenchable enthusiasm. His wide-ranging approach to the development of new research trends has involved close contacts with specialist institutions and constructors’ bureaux through virtually the entire country, along with timely changes in student education, the brilliant organization of the work of several laboratories of the Computational Centre of the Academy of Sciences and groups in other institutions, and the introduction of finalized research results into fields of economics. Moiseev is rightly regarded as the founder of a whole new series of trends in applied mathematics. He has worked on many problems in rocket dynamics, the theory of the motion of a liquid-filled rigid body, gravitational wave theory, asymptotic methods in non-linear mechanics, numerical methods in the theory of optimal control, the theory of hierarchical systems, simulation techniques, and programmed control and planning of the economy. His fundamental results in the theory of the motion of a liquid-filled rigid body continued Zhukovskii’s research, and he also developed effective methods for the numerical solution of applied problems. He proved several theorems in classical non-linear wave theory, whereby, in some cases, more effective methods of study may be used, while in others, certain restrictions could be lifted. His asymptotic methods in the dynamics of a liquid with free boundaries shed new light on wave degeneration processes. He devised an effective numerical method for solving constrained optimal control problems. His studies of the dynamics of rocket motion revealed the connection between the disperse elements of the trajectory and the bench characteristics of the motor. Along with his associates, he was among the first in the Soviet Union to formulate principles for-the programmed control of the economy. At present, methods for compiling departmental and regional programmes are being developed under his leadership. In the theory of hierarchical systems, Moiseev and his colleagues offered new statements of problems to take account of the lack of identity of interests of the different hierarchical levels, stated an optimality principle for control of the upper level, and devised constructive algorithms for the computer solution of such problems.
*Zh v_i%hzY. Mat. mat. Fiz., 17,4,811-813,
1977.
In recent years, Moiseev has devised a new approach to the study of complex socialeconomic and engineeringtechnologlcal systems, based on the use of simulation techniques and hierarchical system theory. In collaboration with the Oil and Gas Centre, a new system has been developed in Moiseev’s laboratory for computer planning of general schemes for the sinking of oil wells. By using the system, the start of industrial assimilation can be accelerated by years, and the volume of capital investment substantially reduced. Moiseev has played an important part in preparing cadres for new trends in science. He has created an important scientific school. His immediate pupils now include 12 doctors of science and about 50 candidates of science, at present working in very diverse fields of applied mathematics, mechanics, and control theory. They owe their success in no smaIl part to his combination of breadth of vision and scientific exactitude. In 1956 he became professor of the Moscow physicsengineering institute (MPEI). He set up the control and applied mathematics faculty of the institute, and directed it from its commencement in 1969. It was the first faculty of its kind in the country, aimed at educating specialists in the application of mathematical and computer methods in various fields of science, engineering, and control methods. f Moiseev’s wide-ranging scientific, organizational, and social activity, with all its drive and enthusiasm, had one fmaI aim - the development of applied mathematics in new and original fields. Apart from his research and work in education and industrial cooperation, he gave his energies unstintingly to the strengthening of international ties, to the organization of conferences and summer schools, and to propaganda of every kind, in newspapers, magazines, and entertainment media, for promising research. He has been an active member of the editorial board of the present journal from its inception. We wish him continuing good health and vibrant energy for many more years, and further outstanding success in his service to Russian science. May his tireless energy and enthusiasm inspire ever-widening circles of scientists.
0041-5553/77/0801-0001$07.50/O
NIKITA NIKOLAEVICH MOISEEV CELEBRATES HIS SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY* ON 23
August 1977 Nikita Nikolaevich Moiseev, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, participant in the second world war, and a celebrated scholar in the fields of mathematics and mechanics, celebrated his sixtieth birthday. Moiseev’s research has been concerned with both fundamental and applied problems in many new fields of natural science. Both his research and his organizational work in science have been typified by a realization of the scope for the development of applied mathematics linked with the developing needs of the country and his inborn unquenchable enthusiasm. His wide-ranging approach to the development of new research trends has involved close contacts with specialist institutions and constructors’ bureaux through virtually the entire country, along with timely changes in student education, the brilliant organization of the work of several laboratories of the Computational Centre of the Academy of Sciences and groups in other institutions, and the introduction of finalized research results into fields of economics. Moiseev is rightly regarded as the founder of a whole new series of trends in applied mathematics. He has worked on many problems in rocket dynamics, the theory of the motion of a liquid-filled rigid body, gravitational wave theory, asymptotic methods in non-linear mechanics, numerical methods in the theory of optimal control, the theory of hierarchical systems, simulation techniques, and programmed control and planning of the economy. His fundamental results in the theory of the motion of a liquid-filled rigid body continued Zhukovskii’s research, and he also developed effective methods for the numerical solution of applied problems. He proved several theorems in classical non-linear wave theory, whereby, in some cases, more effective methods of study may be used, while in others, certain restrictions could be lifted. His asymptotic methods in the dynamics of a liquid with free boundaries shed new light on wave degeneration processes. He devised an effective numerical method for solving constrained optimal control problems. His studies of the dynamics of rocket motion revealed the connection between the disperse elements of the trajectory and the bench characteristics of the motor. Along with his associates, he was among the first in the Soviet Union to formulate principles for-the programmed control of the economy. At present, methods for compiling departmental and regional programmes are being developed under his leadership. In the theory of hierarchical systems, Moiseev and his colleagues offered new statements of problems to take account of the lack of identity of interests of the different hierarchical levels, stated an optimality principle for control of the upper level, and devised constructive algorithms for the computer solution of such problems.
*Zh v_i%hzY. Mat. mat. Fiz., 17,4,811-813,
1977.
In recent years, Moiseev has devised a new approach to the study of complex socialeconomic and engineeringtechnologlcal systems, based on the use of simulation techniques and hierarchical system theory. In collaboration with the Oil and Gas Centre, a new system has been developed in Moiseev’s laboratory for computer planning of general schemes for the sinking of oil wells. By using the system, the start of industrial assimilation can be accelerated by years, and the volume of capital investment substantially reduced. Moiseev has played an important part in preparing cadres for new trends in science. He has created an important scientific school. His immediate pupils now include 12 doctors of science and about 50 candidates of science, at present working in very diverse fields of applied mathematics, mechanics, and control theory. They owe their success in no smaIl part to his combination of breadth of vision and scientific exactitude. In 1956 he became professor of the Moscow physicsengineering institute (MPEI). He set up the control and applied mathematics faculty of the institute, and directed it from its commencement in 1969. It was the first faculty of its kind in the country, aimed at educating specialists in the application of mathematical and computer methods in various fields of science, engineering, and control methods. f Moiseev’s wide-ranging scientific, organizational, and social activity, with all its drive and enthusiasm, had one fmaI aim - the development of applied mathematics in new and original fields. Apart from his research and work in education and industrial cooperation, he gave his energies unstintingly to the strengthening of international ties, to the organization of conferences and summer schools, and to propaganda of every kind, in newspapers, magazines, and entertainment media, for promising research. He has been an active member of the editorial board of the present journal from its inception. We wish him continuing good health and vibrant energy for many more years, and further outstanding success in his service to Russian science. May his tireless energy and enthusiasm inspire ever-widening circles of scientists.