The Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics () is a research institute specializing in
computation
A computation is any type of arithmetic or non-arithmetic calculation that is well-defined. Common examples of computation are mathematical equation solving and the execution of computer algorithms.
Mechanical or electronic devices (or, hist ...
al
mathematics
Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...
. It was established to solve computational tasks related to government programs of
nuclear
Nuclear may refer to:
Physics
Relating to the nucleus of the atom:
*Nuclear engineering
*Nuclear physics
*Nuclear power
*Nuclear reactor
*Nuclear weapon
*Nuclear medicine
*Radiation therapy
*Nuclear warfare
Mathematics
* Nuclear space
*Nuclear ...
and
fusion energy,
space research
Space research is scientific study carried out in outer space, and by studying outer space. From the use of space technology to the observable universe, space research is a wide research field. Earth science, materials science, biology, medicine ...
and
missile
A missile is an airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight aided usually by a propellant, jet engine or rocket motor.
Historically, 'missile' referred to any projectile that is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this ...
technology. The Institute is a part of the Department of Mathematical Sciences of the
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS; ''Rossíyskaya akadémiya naúk'') consists of the national academy of Russia; a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation; and additional scientific and social units such ...
. The main direction of activity of the institute is the use of
computer technology
Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both hardware and software. Computing has scientif ...
to solve complex scientific and technical issues of practical importance. Since 2016, the development of mathematical and computational methods for
biological research, as well as a direct solution to the problems of
computational biology
Computational biology refers to the use of techniques in computer science, data analysis, mathematical modeling and Computer simulation, computational simulations to understand biological systems and relationships. An intersection of computer sci ...
with the use of such methods, has also been included in the circle of scientific activities of the institute.
Scientific activity
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions, in addition to the study of other forms of nuclear matter.
Nuclear physics should not be confused with atomic physics, which studies th ...
Theoretical physicist
Yakov Zeldovich
Yakov Borisovich Zeldovich (, ; 8 March 1914 – 2 December 1987), also known as YaB, was a leading Soviet people, Soviet Physics, physicist of Belarusians, Belarusian origin, who is known for his prolific contributions in physical Physical c ...
headed one of the departments placed in charge of the theoretical aspects of the work on the creation of
nuclear
Nuclear may refer to:
Physics
Relating to the nucleus of the atom:
*Nuclear engineering
*Nuclear physics
*Nuclear power
*Nuclear reactor
*Nuclear weapon
*Nuclear medicine
*Radiation therapy
*Nuclear warfare
Mathematics
* Nuclear space
*Nuclear ...
and
thermonuclear weapon
A thermonuclear weapon, fusion weapon or hydrogen bomb (H-bomb) is a second-generation nuclear weapon design. Its greater sophistication affords it vastly greater destructive power than first-generation nuclear bombs, a more compact size, a lowe ...
s.
Alexander Samarskii performed the first realistic calculations of macrokinetics of
chain reaction
A chain reaction is a sequence of reactions where a reactive product or by-product causes additional reactions to take place. In a chain reaction, positive feedback leads to a self-amplifying chain of events.
Chain reactions are one way that sys ...
of a
nuclear explosion
A nuclear explosion is an explosion that occurs as a result of the rapid release of energy from a high-speed nuclear reaction. The driving reaction may be nuclear fission or nuclear fusion or a multi-stage cascading combination of the two, th ...
, which led to the practical importance estimated power of nuclear weapons. In relation to nuclear energy, the institute was also involved in modelling of processes of
neutron transport and
nuclear reaction
In nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry, a nuclear reaction is a process in which two atomic nucleus, nuclei, or a nucleus and an external subatomic particle, collide to produce one or more new nuclides. Thus, a nuclear reaction must cause a t ...
s. In particular, E. Kuznetsov is known for his work on the theory of
nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a Nuclear fission, fission nuclear chain reaction. They are used for Nuclear power, commercial electricity, nuclear marine propulsion, marine propulsion, Weapons-grade plutonium, weapons ...
s.
Currently, such work in KIAM is continuing in the field of
plasma physics
Plasma () is a state of matter characterized by the presence of a significant portion of charged particles in any combination of ions or electrons. It is the most abundant form of ordinary matter in the universe, mostly in stars (including th ...
and controlled
thermonuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nuclei, nuclei/neutron by-products. The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of ener ...
, which began under the leadership of
Sergei Kurdyumov, , .
Cosmonautics
Dmitry Okhotsimsky directed the works in the department created for research of the dynamics of
space flight
Spaceflight (or space flight) is an application of astronautics to fly objects, usually spacecraft, into or through outer space, either with or without humans on board. Most spaceflight is uncrewed and conducted mainly with spacecraft such a ...
. In 1966, the department was reorganized into the Ballistic Centre. The Ballistic Centre was involved in the calculations of optimal orbit trajectory and actual corrections for all space flights, from uncrewed interplanetary and lunar vehicles to the crewed "
Soyuz
Soyuz is a transliteration of the Cyrillic text Союз (Russian language, Russian and Ukrainian language, Ukrainian, 'Union'). It can refer to any union, such as a trade union (''profsoyuz'') or the Soviet Union, Union of Soviet Socialist Republi ...
" and orbital station "
Salyut
The ''Salyut'' programme (, , meaning "salute" or "fireworks") was the first space station programme, undertaken by the Soviet Union. It involved a series of four crewed scientific research space stations and two crewed military reconnaissa ...
" and "
Mir
''Mir'' (, ; ) was a space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, first by the Soviet Union and later by the Russia, Russian Federation. ''Mir'' was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to ...
". The institute took an active part in the creation of the Soviet space shuttle "
Buran".
KIAM continues to engage in Russian space projects. Current research is connected with:
* development of systems for management and navigation of space vehicles in real time with the use of
global satellite navigation systems GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based hyperbolic navigation system owned by the United States Space Force and operated by Mission Delta 31. It is one of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that provide geol ...
and
GLONASS
GLONASS (, ; ) is a Russian satellite navigation system operating as part of a radionavigation-satellite service. It provides an alternative to Global Positioning System (GPS) and is the second navigational system in operation with global cove ...
;
* exploration of prospects for further interplanetary missions using electric rocket engines;
* participation in such projects as "
RadioAstron
Spektr-R (part of RadioAstron program) (Russian: Спектр-Р) was a Russian scientific satellite with a radio telescope on board. It was launched on 18 July 2011 on a Zenit-3F launcher from Baikonur Cosmodrome, and was designed to perform r ...
" and
Fobos-Grunt
Fobos-Grunt or Phobos-Grunt () was an attempted Russian sample return mission to Phobos (moon), Phobos, one of the moons of Mars. Fobos-Grunt also carried the Chinese Mars orbiter Yinghuo-1 and the tiny Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment f ...
.
Mathematics
Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...
and
Mathematical Modelling
A mathematical model is an abstract description of a concrete system using mathematical concepts and language. The process of developing a mathematical model is termed ''mathematical modeling''. Mathematical models are used in applied mathemati ...
One of the greatest mathematicians of the twentieth century
Israel Gelfand
Israel Moiseevich Gelfand, also written Israïl Moyseyovich Gel'fand, or Izrail M. Gelfand (, , ; – 5 October 2009) was a prominent Soviet and American mathematician, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, biologist, teache ...
was at the head of the Department of heat transmission before his departure for the United States in 1989. He was carrying out the fundamental works on
functional analysis
Functional analysis is a branch of mathematical analysis, the core of which is formed by the study of vector spaces endowed with some kind of limit-related structure (for example, Inner product space#Definition, inner product, Norm (mathematics ...
,
algebra
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with abstract systems, known as algebraic structures, and the manipulation of expressions within those systems. It is a generalization of arithmetic that introduces variables and algebraic ope ...
and
topology
Topology (from the Greek language, Greek words , and ) is the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of a Mathematical object, geometric object that are preserved under Continuous function, continuous Deformation theory, deformat ...
.
Andrey Nikolayevich Tikhonov
Andrey Nikolayevich Tikhonov (; 17 October 1906 – 7 October 1993) was a leading Soviet Russian mathematician and geophysicist known for important contributions to topology, functional analysis, mathematical physics, and ill-posed problems ...
worked initially also in these areas of mathematics. However, Tikhonov is better known for his works of more applied orientation, such as methods for solving
ill-posed problems (
Tikhonov regularization
Ridge regression (also known as Tikhonov regularization, named for Andrey Tikhonov) is a method of estimating the coefficients of multiple- regression models in scenarios where the independent variables are highly correlated. It has been used in m ...
). Tikhonov also created the theory of
differential equations with a
small parameter at the highest derivative. The general theory of stability of
difference schemes was developed by . Samarskii considered mathematical modelling as an independent scientific discipline. Sergei Kurdyumov created a whole scientific school in
nonlinear dynamics
In mathematics and science, a nonlinear system (or a non-linear system) is a system in which the change of the output is not proportional to the change of the input. Nonlinear problems are of interest to engineers, biologists, physicists, mathem ...
and
synergetics in Russia.
Currently, the existing arsenal of numerical methods is updated and improved in response to the growing complexity of the models and the possibilities of modern
supercomputer
A supercomputer is a type of computer with a high level of performance as compared to a general-purpose computer. The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instruc ...
s. Scientists of KIAM elaborate
grid methods for solving computational problems, which has led, in particular, to the creation of a declarative language "Norma".
[Programming languages and systems "Norma"]
/ref>
Computer
A computer is a machine that can be Computer programming, programmed to automatically Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (''computation''). Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic set ...
s and Programming
The first studies were carried out still on mechanical calculator
A mechanical calculator, or calculating machine, is a mechanical device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic automatically, or a simulation like an analog computer or a slide rule. Most mechanical calculators were comparable in si ...
s "Mercedes" by a large staff of estimators. Currently, work is underway to create a distributed computing system based on combining several supercomputer
A supercomputer is a type of computer with a high level of performance as compared to a general-purpose computer. The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instruc ...
s, which are used for grid – technology and developed a specialized operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...
(DVM).
Robotics
Robotics is the interdisciplinary study and practice of the design, construction, operation, and use of robots.
Within mechanical engineering, robotics is the design and construction of the physical structures of robots, while in computer s ...
Currently, work on robotics is carried out in:
* the Group of of the Sector under the guidance of (virtual football[The project "Virtual football" of KIAM RAS]
/ref>),
* the Group of ( vision systems),
* the Group of (autonomous tracked vehicles).
Computational biology
Computational biology refers to the use of techniques in computer science, data analysis, mathematical modeling and Computer simulation, computational simulations to understand biological systems and relationships. An intersection of computer sci ...
Since 2016, the sphere of interest of KIAM includes also computational biology problems, which are solved in IMPB RAS – Branch of KIAM RAS in Pushchino
Pushchino ( rus, Пущино, p=ˈpuɕːɪnə) is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia, an important scientific center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Situated south of Moscow, and 13 km south-east of Serpukhov, on the right side of the Ok ...
.
Specialized research projects
* The project "RadioAstron
Spektr-R (part of RadioAstron program) (Russian: Спектр-Р) was a Russian scientific satellite with a radio telescope on board. It was launched on 18 July 2011 on a Zenit-3F launcher from Baikonur Cosmodrome, and was designed to perform r ...
"
* The project "Norma"
* The project "DVM"
* The project "GNS"
* The project "grid" (multiprocessor computations)
* The project "Virtual football"
* International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)
Teaching and social activities
Most of the leading employees of KIAM worked part-time as professors of the Moscow State University
Moscow State University (MSU), officially M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University,. is a public university, public research university in Moscow, Russia. The university includes 15 research institutes, 43 faculties, more than 300 departments, a ...
and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT; , also known as PhysTech), is a public university, public research university located in Moscow Oblast, Russia. It prepares specialists in theoretical physics, theoretical and applied physics, ...
. was the organizer and first Dean of the Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics.
was engaged in the mathematical education of secondary school pupils.
History
Milestones
The institute is located in Moscow
Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
, Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. In 1978, it is named after Mstislav Keldysh
Mstislav Vsevolodovich Keldysh (; – 24 June 1978) was a Soviet mathematician who worked as an engineer in the Soviet space program.
He was the academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union (1946), President of the Academy of Sc ...
. The institute was created in 1966 when it split from Steklov Institute of Mathematics
Steklov Institute of Mathematics or Steklov Mathematical Institute () is a premier research institute based in Moscow, specialized in mathematics, and a part of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The institute is named after Vladimir Andreevich Stek ...
. Already as the Department of Applied Mathematics of Steklov Institute it had conducted some outstanding research in the field of space exploration: in 1953 it developed the method of ballistic spacecraft
A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed spaceflight, to fly and operate in outer space. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including Telecommunications, communications, Earth observation satellite, Earth observation, Weather s ...
descent, that was used on 12 April 1961 for Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin; Gagarin's first name is sometimes transliterated as ''Yuriy'', ''Youri'', or ''Yury''. (9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who, aboard the first successful Human spaceflight, crewed sp ...
's return to the Earth, and in 1957 Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1 (, , ''Satellite 1''), sometimes referred to as simply Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957 as part of the Soviet space program ...
orbit was calculated there using the computer
A computer is a machine that can be Computer programming, programmed to automatically Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (''computation''). Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic set ...
processing of optical observation data.
As a result of the reorganization in RAS of 2015–2016 years[The order on accession IMPB to the KIAM]
Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology became a branch of KIAM.
Principals
* 1953–1978 Keldysh, Mstislav Vsevolodovich, President of the USSR Academy of Sciences, mathematician.
* 1978–1989 Tikhonov, Andrey Nikolayevich, Academician of RAS, mathematician.
* 1989–1999 Kurdyumov, Sergei Pavlovich, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, mathematician.
* 1999–2008 Popov, Yuriy Petrovich, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, mathematician.
* 2008–2015 Chetverushkin, Boris Nikolaevich, Academician of RAS, mathematician.
* 2016-2024 Aptekarev, Alexander Ivanovich, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, mathematician.
* since 2025 Yakobovskiy, Mikhail Vladimirovich, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, mathematician.
The organizations that were separated out
* 1955 — Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre.
* 1965 — Space Research Institute, established on the basis of one of the departments of KIAM to develop scientific space flight programs.
* 1990 — Institute for Mathematical Modelling, based on department .
Famous faculty and alumni
* Gelfand, Israel Moiseevich, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, mathematician of world renown.
* Godunov, Sergei Konstantinovich, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, mathematician of world renown.
* Lyapunov, Alexey Andreevich, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, one of the founders of cybernetics
Cybernetics is the transdisciplinary study of circular causal processes such as feedback and recursion, where the effects of a system's actions (its outputs) return as inputs to that system, influencing subsequent action. It is concerned with ...
in the USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
.
* Okhotsimsky, Dmitry Yevgenyevich, Academician of RAS, cosmonautics and robotics
Robotics is the interdisciplinary study and practice of the design, construction, operation, and use of robots.
Within mechanical engineering, robotics is the design and construction of the physical structures of robots, while in computer s ...
.
* Eneev, Timur Magometovich, Academician of RAS, cosmonautics and cosmogony
Cosmogony is any model concerning the origin of the cosmos or the universe.
Overview
Scientific theories
In astronomy, cosmogony is the study of the origin of particular astrophysical objects or systems, and is most commonly used in ref ...
.
* Yablonsky, Sergey Vsevolodovich, Corresponding Member of RAS, one of the founders of cybernetics
Cybernetics is the transdisciplinary study of circular causal processes such as feedback and recursion, where the effects of a system's actions (its outputs) return as inputs to that system, influencing subsequent action. It is concerned with ...
in the USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
.
* Yanenko, Nikolai Nikolaevich, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, mathematician and engineer.
* Zeldovich, Yakov Borisovich, Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions, in addition to the study of other forms of nuclear matter.
Nuclear physics should not be confused with atomic physics, which studies th ...
and astrophysics
Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline, James Keeler, said, astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the ...
References
External links
Institute website
{{authority control
Educational institutions established in 1966
Mathematical institutes
Institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Universities and institutes established in the Soviet Union
Research institutes in the Soviet Union
1966 establishments in the Soviet Union