TsAGI Executive Director Sergey Chernyshev awarded French Order of Merit
14 February 2012
TsAGI Executive Director Sergey Chernyshev has been awarded the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic.
The award ceremony was held on January 31, 2012, in the French aerospace centre ONERA in Meudon, and was timed to coincide with the 10th TsAGI-ONERA scientific seminar. The award was presented by ONERA President Denis Maugars. In addition to delegations from the two institutes, the ceremony was attended by officials from the Russian Embassy in France, executives from the European Space Agency, SAFRAN, 3AF, and representatives from the European Commission.
In presenting the award, Denis Maugars made special note of Chernyshev’s contribution to the development of scientific relations between Russia and France in the field of aviation, and also praised his scientific achievements.
Chernyshev thanked the French side and his Russian colleagues for the honor and support and expressed the hope that relations between TsAGI and ONERA would continue to develop as successfully as in the past. “Contacts between TsAGI and ONERA began in the 1960s, and since then we have come a long way in developing scientific relations,” Chernyshev said. “I would like to say that I am accepting this award on behalf of all the employees of TsAGI, who have contributed, and continue to contribute to the development of friendship and cooperation between our institutes.”
The National Order of Merit, which is the fourth highest award in France, was instituted by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. It may be awarded both to citizens of France and to foreigners. The decision to present the award is made by the Prime Minister, who is the Grand Master of the Order, upon recommendations from the government.
Photo: ONERA President Denis Maugars and TsAGI Executive Director Sergey Chernyshev