Ukrainian names in world science

Part 2

Quite a special place belongs to the man of dramatic fate Yuri Kondratyuk (Olexandr Shargey) whose scientific exploit was duly appreciated by Academician Boris Rauschenbach. A man of tragic circumstances himself Rauschenbach wrote that it was Kondratyuk who suggested the idea of creating a base round the Moon and not on the Earth, to ensure the rocket starts for the Moon. Kondratyuk's idea was later realized in the Appollo flight programme many years after the author had been killed in action at the front.

Among other brilliant scientists who were working in this field and who gained breath-taking results⁶ were Serhiy Korolyov, a constructor of cosmic systems. Academician Arkhyp Lyulka, a turbojet engines constructor, Lieutenant - General Mykola Dukhov, one of the creators of the atomic

Very near cosmic research stands another flying branch of scientific investigation — aviation and its affiliated domain hydronavigation. Most famous names here are Fedir Tereshchenko who constructed a monoplane with parameters far surpassing the existing models (as far back as 1913) and Dmytro Hryhorovych, a graduate of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, who constructed a seaplane (airplane rising from and alighting on water) for the first time in aeriel navigation.

And it was in Ukraine that such gigantic airplanes were brought into being⁷ and use, as Antey, Ruslan, Mriya (Dream). Quite unexpected is the turn at recent times to the long-forgotten kind of aviation — airships (dirigible ba­lloons). Super - light (deltaplanes) and wingless aviation attracts Ukrainian plane-constructors positive attitude and serious attention owing to such characteristic features of airships as practically unlimited weight-lifting ability, distance and time of flight, vertical start and landing. Today airships" are built in such industrially developed countries as the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, China and many others.

Among other illustrious personalities in Ukrainian science, Volodymyr Verhadsky's name deserves a special reverence for his indomitable scientific courage, for his ability to foresee the development of human knowledge, for his efforts to foretell the future of mankind and its ways of progress.

The above mentioned names are only a few stars in the constellation of genius representing Ukrainian science in the world.

1. voted heart and soul — відданий (усім) серцем і душею

2. thin its borders — усередині, у межах (країни)

3. now on the upsurge, now on the down-grade — то на підне­сенні, то в занепаді

4. medicus (lat. doctor) — лікар ...

5. Czechoslovakia (now independent Czech and Slovak States) — Чехословаччина

6. breath-taking results — гідні подиву результати

7. were brought into being — були створені

**II. Write out of the text and memorize the names of pro­fessions (specialities).

**III. Read the text carefully, find the sentences with Par­ticiple I in different functions and translate them into Uk­rainian.

*IV. Finish the sentences according to the text:

1. The sons and daughters of Ukraine made contribution о ... . 2. Yuri Kotermak, named Drohobych was ... . 3. Many Ukrainians had to leave their Homeland due to .... 4. From Ukraine's descendants benefit such countries as ... .5. It was Yuri Kondratyek who suggested the idea of ... . 6. In the field of space research worked such brilliant Ukrainian scientists as ... .

**V. Comprehension questions:

1. In what talents is Ukraine rich? 2. Where did men of different talents do their best to raise national culture and science? 3. What is the contribution of the sons and daughters of Ukraine's land? 4. Are there many countries where Uk­raine's descendants displayed their strength of mind and intel­lect? 5. What are the most outstanding Ukrainian names in world science and arts? 6. What is the fate of Yuri Komtratyuk? 7. What gigantic airplanes were brought into being in Ukraine? 8. What is the task of Ukrainian science at present?

***VI. Make a summary of the text and discuss it.

***VII. Speak about:

a) Ukraine's scientific and technological achievements in and out of this country;

b) the struggle of Ukraine's people for their national independence;

c) the tasks facing Ukraine's people in the building-up our economy.

*** VII. Write a short essay about the achievements of Ukrainian science and technology.