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About

Viktor Malanushenko is an instrumental astronomer whose expertise lies in the design, construction, and commissioning of wide-field optical systems for major sky surveys. His key research areas include astronomical instrumentation, optical design, and survey operations, with a particular focus on optimizing corrector optics for multi-object spectroscopy. Malanushenko’s most notable contribution is his work on the SDSS-V wide field corrector, a three-element lens system that replaced the previous two-element design. This new corrector, presented in his 2022 paper (3 citations), was engineered to deliver a flat focal surface and enhanced performance in the infrared—critical for SDSS-V’s all-sky mapping goals. Beyond this, he has been instrumental in the on-sky alignment and testing of these optics, ensuring the survey’s million-spectra-per-year capability. While his citation count is modest, his impact is foundational: without his precise optical solutions, SDSS-V’s transformative data products would not be possible. Malanushenko’s work exemplifies the unsung engineering rigor that enables modern astrophysics, making him a key figure in the next generation of wide-field surveys.