Russian engineer and astronaut who spent 803 days in space, holding the record for the most time in space until 2015, and was a hero in the Soviet Union. He flew on six space missions and was a key figure in the Russian space program.
Sergei Krikalev is renowned for being one of the most seasoned space travelers in history, having spent a staggering 803 days, 9 hours, and 39 minutes in space. This Russian mechanical engineer and former cosmonaut holds the record for the fourth-longest time spent in space, and his remarkable journey is a testament to human resilience and determination.
Krikalev was born on August 27, 1958, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia). He developed a passion for aeronautics and engineering at a young age, which led him to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute (now Baltic State Technical University). After graduating in 1981, Krikalev joined NPO Energia, a Russian industrial organization responsible for crewed space flight activities.
In 1985, Krikalev was selected as a cosmonaut and completed his basic training in 1986. He was initially assigned to the Buran Shuttle program but later began training for his first space mission. Krikalev's first spaceflight was in 1988, and he went on to fly on six space missions, including a 311-day stint on the Mir space station during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Krikalev's extraordinary journey on Mir began in 1991, but due to the Soviet Union's collapse, his return was delayed, and he remained in space for twice as long as the mission had originally planned. This extraordinary circumstances made him a symbol of resilience and adaptability, earning him international recognition and admiration.
After retiring as a cosmonaut in 2007, Krikalev went on to serve as vice president of Space Corporation Energia. From 2009 to 2014, he headed the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, overseeing the training of new generations of cosmonauts.
Krikalev has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to space exploration, including:
Sergei Krikalev's remarkable career has inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in aerospace engineering and space exploration. His extraordinary story serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to adapt, persevere, and push the boundaries of what is thought possible.
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