Aleksandr Viktorenko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleksandr Viktorenko
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 29 March 1947 Olginka, Oktyabriskiy District, North Kazakhstan Region, Kazakh SSR, USSR
|
| Died | 10 August 2023 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Soviet / Russian |
| Occupation | Test pilot |
| Space career | |
| Roscosmos cosmonaut | |
| Rank | Colonel, Russian Air Force |
|
Time in space
|
489d 01h 33m |
| Selection | 1978 Intercosmos Group |
| Missions | Soyuz TM-3/2 (Mir EP-1), Soyuz TM-8 (Mir EO-5), Soyuz TM-14 (Mir EO-11), Soyuz TM-20 (Mir EO-17) |
|
Mission insignia
|
    |
Aleksandr Stepanovich Viktorenko (Russian: Александр Степанович Викторенко) was a brave Soviet and Russian cosmonaut. He was born on March 29, 1947. Cosmonauts are like astronauts, but they are from Russia.
Aleksandr Viktorenko was chosen to become a cosmonaut on March 23, 1978. He spent many years training and flying in space. He was the commander of four important space missions. These missions included Soyuz TM-3, Soyuz TM-8, Soyuz TM-14, and Soyuz TM-20.
He spent an amazing total of 489 days in space. That's more than a year and three months! He retired from being a cosmonaut on May 30, 1997. Aleksandr Viktorenko passed away on August 10, 2023, when he was 76 years old.
Contents
A Life in Space: His Missions
Aleksandr Viktorenko was a very experienced space traveler. He commanded several missions to the Mir space station. Mir was a famous Russian space station that orbited Earth.
First Flight: Soyuz TM-3
His first trip to space was on Soyuz TM-3. This mission helped bring new supplies and crew to the Mir station. It was an important step in his career as a cosmonaut.
Commander of Soyuz TM-8
Later, he commanded Soyuz TM-8. This mission was part of the Mir EO-5 expedition. It involved living and working on the space station for a long time.
Leading Soyuz TM-14
Aleksandr Viktorenko also led the Soyuz TM-14 mission. This flight was part of the Mir EO-11 expedition. Each mission added to his incredible experience in space.
Final Journey: Soyuz TM-20
His last mission was Soyuz TM-20, which was part of Mir EO-17. By this time, he was one of the most experienced cosmonauts. He had spent a lot of time helping with scientific research in orbit.
Awards and Special Honours
Aleksandr Viktorenko received many special awards for his courage and hard work. These awards showed how important his contributions were to space exploration.
- Hero of the Soviet Union: This was one of the highest awards in the Soviet Union. It was given for great bravery and heroism.
- Order of Lenin: Another very high award from the Soviet Union. It recognized outstanding service.
- Order of the October Revolution: He received this for successfully completing spaceflights. It also honored his bravery.
- Order of Friendship of Peoples: This award was given for his successful long spaceflights. It recognized his courage.
- Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class: This award from Russia honored his bravery during long space missions.
- Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration": This medal recognized his great achievements in space research. It also honored his many years of hard work.
- Pilot-cosmonaut of the Soviet Union: This title showed he was a highly skilled pilot and cosmonaut.
- Commander of the Legion of Honour: This is a very important award from France. He first received it as an officer, then later as a commander.
Aleksandr Viktorenko's life was full of adventure and dedication. He helped us learn more about space. His missions contributed a lot to our understanding of living and working in orbit.
See also
In Spanish: Aleksandr Viktorenko para niños
