Famous Russian Astronauts

Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who made history as the first human to journey into outer space aboard Vostok 1 in 1961. Following his successful spaceflight, he became a renowned international celebrity and was awarded numerous medals and titles, including Hero of the Soviet Union. Gagarin later served as the backup crew for Soyuz 1 but was banned from further spaceflights after a fatal crash involving his friend. Despite this, he continued his career in aviation until his tragic death in a plane crash in 1968.

Vladimir Mikhaylovich Komarov was a Soviet test pilot, aerospace engineer, and cosmonaut who made significant contributions to the Soviet space program. He commanded the historic Voskhod 1 mission, the first to carry multiple crew members, and later piloted Soyuz 1 on its first crewed test flight. Despite facing medical setbacks, he remained actively involved in space vehicle design, cosmonaut training, evaluation, and public relations. Tragically, he became the first human to die in a space flight when his Soyuz capsule crashed upon re-entry in 1967.

Valentina Tereshkova is a Russian engineer, former Soviet cosmonaut, and member of the State Duma. She made history as the first woman in space, completing a solo mission on Vostok 6 in 1963. After her spaceflight, Tereshkova continued her involvement in the space program as a cosmonaut instructor. She later pursued further education in the Air Force Engineering Academy. Throughout her career, she held various political positions, representing the Communist Party and United Russia party in different governmental bodies.

Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov was a distinguished Soviet and Russian cosmonaut known for setting the record for the longest single stay in space, spending over 14 months aboard the Mir space station during one mission. Selected as a cosmonaut in 1972, he completed two spaceflights in 1988 and 1994–1995, accumulating a total of more than 22 months in space. Polyakov's significant contributions to space exploration include his endurance of extended space missions, demonstrating his exceptional skills and dedication to advancing human spaceflight.

Sergei Krikalev is a Russian mechanical engineer and former cosmonaut who has achieved significant milestones in space exploration. With six space flights under his belt, he holds the impressive record of spending 803 days, 9 hours, and 39 minutes in space. Krikalev's dedication to his work was evident when he was stranded on board the Mir during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, staying in space for 311 consecutive days. After retiring as a cosmonaut, he took on leadership roles within the space industry, showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing space exploration.

Gennady Ivanovich Padalka is a Russian Air Force officer and Roscosmos cosmonaut. He held the world record for the most time spent in space at 878 days until it was surpassed. Padalka has worked on both the Mir space station and the International Space Station. Throughout his career, he has contributed significantly to space exploration and research, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication in his role as a cosmonaut. Padalka's achievements in space have solidified his reputation as a highly accomplished and experienced astronaut.

Fyodor Nikolayevich Yurchikhin is a Russian cosmonaut and engineer known for his extensive spaceflight experience. He has flown on five spaceflights, including missions aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Yurchikhin has served in various roles such as flight engineer, crew member, and commander on expeditions to the ISS. He has been involved in missions lasting from 10 days to six months, demonstrating his expertise and dedication to space exploration.

Andriyan Grigoryevich Nikolayev was a Soviet cosmonaut who made significant contributions to space exploration. In 1962, he flew into space aboard Vostok 3, becoming the third Soviet cosmonaut to do so. Nikolayev, an ethnic Chuvash, was considered the first Turkic cosmonaut. Throughout his professional life, he dedicated himself to advancing space exploration and furthering scientific knowledge. His achievements in space travel have left a lasting impact on the field of cosmonautics.

Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko is a retired Russian cosmonaut known for his significant contributions to space exploration. He holds the record for being the first person to marry in space, a historic event that took place during his time on the International Space Station. Malenchenko has an impressive career in space, ranking third for career time in space due to his missions on both Mir and the ISS. He also served as a commander of the International Space Station, showcasing his leadership and expertise in the field of space exploration.

Svetlana Savitskaya is a pioneering Russian aviator and Soviet cosmonaut who made significant contributions to space exploration. She made history as the second woman in space aboard Soyuz T-7 in 1982 and went on to become the first woman to fly to space twice during her 1984 Soyuz T-12 mission. Additionally, Savitskaya achieved remarkable feats as a pilot, setting multiple FAI world records. Her professional legacy is marked by groundbreaking achievements in space travel and aviation.

Vladislav Nikolayevich Volkov was a Soviet cosmonaut who made significant contributions to space exploration by participating in two missions aboard Soyuz spacecraft. He flew on the Soyuz 7 mission and later on the ill-fated Soyuz 11 mission, during which he tragically lost his life along with two other crew members. Volkov's career exemplified his dedication to advancing humanity's understanding of outer space, despite the risks involved in space travel.

Nikolai Rukavishnikov was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew three space missions of the Soyuz programme. He studied at Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute and worked for Sergey Korolev's design bureau. Selected for cosmonaut training in 1967, he flew on Soyuz 10 in 1971. His second flight, Soyuz 16 in 1974, was a success. His third flight, Soyuz 33 in 1979, faced engine failure but the crew safely returned to Earth. Rukavishnikov resigned in 1987 and returned to work for Energia.

Sergei Vasilyevich Avdeyev is a former Russian engineer and cosmonaut known for his significant contributions to space exploration. He began his career as an engineer at NPO Energiya before being selected as a cosmonaut in 1987. Avdeyev completed three tours of duty aboard the Mir Space Station, setting a record for cumulative time spent in space. He retired from his cosmonaut career in 2003 and continues to be involved in amateur radio operations.

Gennady Mikhailovich Strekalov was a prominent engineer, cosmonaut, and administrator at Russian aerospace firm RSC Energia. He made significant contributions to space exploration by flying into space five times and residing on various space stations, including Salyut 6, Salyut 7, and Mir. Strekalov's expertise was evident during the catastrophic Soyuz rocket explosion in 1983, where he utilized a launch escape system. Recognized for his achievements, he was honored twice as a Hero of the Soviet Union and received the prestigious Ashoka Chakra from India.

Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Volkov is a retired Soviet cosmonaut with an impressive professional career. He is a veteran of 3 space flights, including twice to the Mir Soviet space station. Volkov has contributed significantly to space exploration through his missions and experiences in space. His expertise and dedication to the field have made him a respected figure in the space community. Volkov's legacy also includes being the father of cosmonaut Sergey Volkov, further solidifying his family's connection to space exploration.

Valery Nikolaevich Kubasov was a Soviet/Russian cosmonaut known for his contributions to the Soyuz and Intercosmos programmes. He flew on missions Soyuz 6, Soyuz 19 (Apollo–Soyuz mission), and commanded Soyuz 36. Kubasov conducted the first welding experiments in space and played a role in developing the Mir space station. He successfully evaded two potential space disasters and later retired from the Russian space program to become deputy director of RKK Energia.

Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev was a Soviet cosmonaut known for his role in the Soyuz 11 mission, during which he operated the Orion 1 Space Observatory on the Salyut 1 space station. He tragically became part of the third space crew to die during a space flight due to a valve malfunction that caused the capsule's atmosphere to vent away, leading to suffocation. Patsayev's professional achievements include being the first man to operate a telescope outside Earth's atmosphere and receiving posthumous awards for his contributions to space exploration.

Boris Borisovich Yegorov was a distinguished Soviet physician and cosmonaut, renowned for being the first medical doctor to journey into space. He obtained his medical degree from the Moscow Medical Institute and later earned a doctorate in medicine, specializing in disorders of the sense of balance. Yegorov's pivotal role in the Voskhod 1 mission showcased his expertise and dedication, leading to his recognition as the Hero of the Soviet Union. His impactful professional journey sadly concluded with his passing due to a heart attack in 1994.

Konstantin Petrovich Feoktistov was a prominent Russian engineer and cosmonaut in the Soviet space program. He made history by flying on Voskhod 1, the first spacecraft to carry three crew members. Feoktistov's contributions extended beyond his missions, as he authored multiple books on space technology and exploration. His expertise and dedication to space exploration are further immortalized by having a crater on the far side of the Moon named in his honor, showcasing his lasting impact on the field of astronautics.

Sergey Aleksandrovich Volkov is a retired Russian cosmonaut and engineer who participated in three missions to the International Space Station. Over the course of his career, he spent more than a year in space and completed four spacewalks totaling over 23 hours. Volkov's contributions to space exploration showcase his expertise and dedication to advancing scientific research in space. He retired from the Cosmonaut group in February 2017, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments in the field of space exploration.

Mikhail Borisovich Kornienko, a Russian cosmonaut, has an extensive professional background in space exploration, including multiple missions to the International Space Station (ISS). He served as a flight engineer during Expedition 23 and 24 in 2010 and later partook in a year-long mission on the ISS from March 2015 to March 2016, collaborating with American astronaut Scott Kelly. Kornienko's missions focused on studying the physiological and psychological effects on humans during extended spaceflight, contributing valuable data for future missions involving prolonged human presence in space.

Pyotr Ilyich Klimuk is a former Soviet cosmonaut known for being the first Belarusian to travel to space. He completed three space flights during his career. Following his time as a cosmonaut, Klimuk transitioned to a leadership role at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, where he served as the head from 1991 to 2003. Throughout his professional life, Klimuk made significant contributions to space exploration and played a vital role in training future cosmonauts.

Yelena Kondakova is a prominent figure in space exploration, known for being the third Soviet or Russian female cosmonaut to travel to space and the first woman to undertake a long-duration spaceflight. She made her first trip into space in 1994 aboard Soyuz TM-20, spending five months at the Mir space station. Kondakova later flew as a mission specialist on the United States Space Shuttle Atlantis during mission STS-84 in 1997. Her contributions to space exploration have solidified her legacy as a pioneering female astronaut.