EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: IKI RAN SPACE

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000658 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/JHOWARD USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: IKI RAN SPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, LICENSE NO. D389605 REFTEL: USDOC 00820 ¶1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act. ¶2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Space Research Institute, Moscow, Russia. The company is listed on BIS license application D389605 as the ultimate consignee of eight AD7821 high speed, up-compatible, cmos, 8-bit sampling adc. These items are controlled for national security and nuclear proliferation reasons under ECCN 3A001. The licensee is Analog Devices, Inc., 3 Technology way, Norwood, MA 02062. ¶3. On February 28, 2008, Export Control Attache Peter Liston and LES Natalya Shipitsina conducted the requested pre-license check at the offices of (RAS) Space Research Institute, 84/32 Profsoyuznaya st., Moscow, Russia. The export control team met with Igor Mitrofanov, Doctor of Sciences, Ph.D, , Head of Laboratory of space gamma-ray spectroscopy. ¶4. The Russian Academy of Science (RAS),Space Research Institute is one of the leading organizations in the field of investigations of Outer Space, Solar System planets and other objects of the Universe. The Space Research Institute (IKI) is primarily in charge of long-range planning and elaboration of space research programs, of which a considerable part is performed within the framework of international space research cooperation. The Space Research Institute takes part in the Federal Space Program that is being formed by the RAS Space Council and by the appropriate sections of this Council together with the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). The Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Science has cooperated in projects with Russia's Federal Space Agency (FSA), NASA and European Space Agency (ESA). ¶5. Igor Mitrofanov, Doctor of Sciences, Ph.D, , Head of Laboratory of space gamma-ray spectroscopy, is the research specialist in charge of the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) project. Igor Mitrofanov when on to explain that the DAN project is intended to detect subsurface water on Mars. One way to look for water on Mars is to look for neutrons escaping from the planet's surface. Cosmic rays from space constantly bombard the surface of Mars, knocking neutrons in soils and rocks out of their atomic orbits. If liquid or frozen water happens to be present, hydrogen atoms slow the neutrons down. In this way, some of the neutrons escaping into space have less energy and move more slowly. These slower particles can be measured with a neutron detector. ¶6. Igor Mitrofanov, Doctor of Sciences, Ph.D, , Head of Laboratory of space gamma-ray spectroscopy described the intended use of the (8) AD7821 high speed, up compatible, CMOS, 8-bit as a means to convert analog readings to digital during the DAN project. Igor Mitrofanov was familiar with the products performance and characteristics, and stated that in his lab, he makes every attempt to obtain the highest quality products available in the open market. ¶7. The Export Control Team Moscow did not ditect any possible connect with State sponsored terrorism, and the lab is not involved in any chemical, biological, nuclear or missile programs. ¶8. Recommendations: Post recommends Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Space Research Institute, Moscow, Russia, as reliable recipients of sensitive U.S. origin commodities. It is requested that post be notified of final disposition of the application, and of any shipments for this organization in order to conduct appropriate FCS follow-up and statistical reporting. (FCS MOSCOW/MOGRADY/PLISTON) BURNS