The Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine, the Section of Physical, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences of the NAS of Ukraine, the Department of Earth Sciences of the NAS of Ukraine with deep sorrow announce that on June 20, 2026, at the age of 96, passed away Oleksandr Dmytrovych Fedorovsky, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine a renowned scientist in the field of hydrophysics and aerospace Earth research, laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in the field of science and engineering, Honored Master of Sciences and Engineering of Ukraine, chief research fellow of the State Institution “Scientific Centre for Aerospace Research of the Earth at the Institute of Geological Science of the NAS of Ukraine".
Oleksandr Dmytrovych Fedorovsky was born on January 10, 1931, in Leningrad. He studied at the Naval School (1947-1949). In 1950, he enrolled in the engineering-physics faculty of the Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics, which he graduated from in 1956. After graduation, he was sent to work in Kyiv at the "Arsenal" plant, where he worked from 1956 to 1980 in positions ranging from engineer to head of a special design bureau.
During this period, a number of optical-electronic complexes were created and accepted for armament of the fleet and the Cosmonaut Training Center. Under his academic advising and with his direct participation, comprehensive sea trials of new designed equipment were conducted annually from 1965 to 1980 in various regions of the World Ocean. The results of these scientific studies are detailed in the monograph "Physical and Technical Foundations of the Construction of Marine Thermal Image Sensors" (1973).
In 1980, O.D. Fedorovsky was transferred to the Institute of Hydromechanics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, where he served as director from 1981 to 1987. During this period, in the course of joint laboratory and on-site studies, the relationship between the spatial characteristics of temperature fields on the sea surface and hydrodynamic phenomena occurring at deep horizons under various hydrological conditions was established. Based on this, O.D. Fedorovsky substantiated the scientific hypothesis about the role of internal waves in the occurrence of temperature anomalies on the free surface of the sea. These studies laid the foundation for the creation of a new scientific focus area at the institute – hydro-optics. During this period, two monographs, "Optical Methods in Hydromechanics" (1984) and "Transfer Processes in Gas-Liquid Systems" (1988) were published.
From 1987 to 1992, O. D. Fedorovsky was Director of the Special Design Bureau and Deputy Director for science of the Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine. His scientific achievements during these years found concrete application in the study of fine-structured oceanic turbulence.
Since 1993, the scientist has headed the Department of Methods and Systems of Remote Sensing in the Optical Range, and since 2002 – the Department of System Analysis of the Center for Aerospace Earth Research of the IGS of the NAS of Ukraine. His scientific research during this period has been aimed at developing a methodology for decoding satellite images based on the use of a systematic approach, analysis of structural-textural features, and, consequently, the development of simulation ecological-economic models of integrated water use. Under his academic advising, an original scientifically grounded method for assessing the state of aquatic ecotones of the river-reservoir and river-sea types was developed, which was reflected in the atlases "Ukraine from Space" (1999) and "Space for Ukraine" (2001). In addition, a methodology was developed for modeling the process of obtaining information by space remote sensing systems and assessing their effectiveness based on system analysis. Methods for decoding multispectral satellite images based on structural-textural analysis were improved. A method of simulation modeling of space systems and mathematical structural-textural models of landscape zone elements of the Earth's surface were developed. A methodology for modeling scenarios of ecological state development in the event of man-made accidents and emergencies was developed, enabling diagnosis of the current ecological state and forecasting its evolution.
O.D. Fedorovsky is the author of more than 300 scientific works, including 71 inventions.
O.D. Fedorovsky was a mentor to young scientists who devoted themselves to science. From 1978 to 1983, he worked as a professor at the Department of Optical Instruments at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Hie thirteen graduate students successfully defended their PhD dissertations. He was a member of scientific and specialized councils, editorial boards of scientific journals. He was awarded the Order of the "Red Banner of Labor" (1985), the badge "Veteran of the Space Industry" (2001), NAS of Ukraine distinctions "For Scientific Achievements" (2011) and "For training the new scientific generation" (2017). He was a laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in the field of science and engineering (2005) and held the honorary title "Honored Master of Sciences and Engineering of Ukraine" (2007).
We express our deep sincere condolences to the family and close ones of Oleksandr Dmytrovych Fedorovsky and to the staff of the Scientific Centre for Aerospace Research of the Earth at the IGS of the NAS of Ukraine.
The bright memory of Oleksandr Dmytrovych Fedorovsky, an outstanding scientist and academic, a sensitive, soulful, and intelligent person, will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him and had the honor to work with him.
The farewell to Oleksandr Dmytrovych Fedorovsky, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, will take place on June 23, 2026 (Tuesday) at 14:00 at the address: Kyiv, 33 Ivan Fedorov Street (funeral home "Omega").
Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Section of Physical, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences of the NAS of Ukraine
Department of Earth Sciences of the NAS of Ukraine