Tribute from Israel             Maxim Tarasenko during a visit to Israel in 1994. Photo: LEON ROSENBLUM

Sir, Dr Maxim Tarasenko, leading space programme analyst at the Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies (Moscow Region) tragically perished in a car accident in May near Moscow. He was 36.

Maxim Tarasenko was known to many specialists and enthusiasts in many countries all over the world as one of the first Soviet/Russian independent space programme analysts. His merit in revealing the Soviet military space history is great. He was a well-known Russian and international independent civil and military space analyst, excellently analysing technical, financial, political and economic factors influencing space programme formation.

Maxim Tarasenko was one of the founders and for many years co-editor of the Novosti Kosmonavtiki (Russian Space News) journal and a member of the International Editorial Board of the Space Policy journal.

I have been a friend of Maxim for about 10 years. He was not only a wonderful professional, but also a kind and open-minded man, a sincere friend.

His sudden death is a hard and fatal loss for anyone who knew and loved him.

LEON ROSENBLUM

SPACEFLIGHT, Vol. 41. August 1999