Andriyan Nikolayev Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Andriyan Nikolayev
Andriyan Nikolayev in 1976
Born	(1929-09-05)5 September 1929 Shorshely, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia)
Died	3 July 2004(2004-07-03) (aged 74) Cheboksary, Chuvashia, Russia
Nationality	Soviet
Other names	Andriyan Grigoryevich Nikolayev
Occupation	Pilot
Space career
Cosmonaut
Rank	Major General, Soviet Air Force (1954–1982)
Time in space	21d 15h 20m
Selection	Air Force Group 1
Missions	Vostok 3, Soyuz 9
Mission insignia

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Andriyan Grigoryevich Nikolayev (Chuvash and Russian: Андриян Григорьевич Николаев; 5 September 1929 – 3 July 2004) was a Soviet cosmonaut. In 1962, he became the third Soviet cosmonaut to fly into space aboard Vostok 3. Nikolayev was from the Chuvash group. He is known as the first Turkic person to travel to space.

Early Life
Becoming a Cosmonaut
Space Missions
Family Life
Later Life and Legacy
Awards and Honors
Images for kids
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Early Life

Andriyan Grigoryevich Nikolayev was born on September 5, 1929. His village, Sorseli, was in the Chuvash region. This area is located in the Volga River valley. He grew up helping on a collective farm.

Becoming a Cosmonaut

Nikolayev helped his family after his father passed away in 1944. However, his mother wanted him to get an education. He later went to medical school. After that, he joined the Soviet army. During his training, Nikolayev was very calm. He stayed calm even in tough situations. This calm nature made him a good choice for a cosmonaut.

In March 1960, he joined the first group of cosmonauts. This group included famous names like Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov. There were nineteen people in total.

Space Missions

Nikolayev flew on two important space flights. His first mission was Vostok 3. This made him the third Soviet cosmonaut. His second flight was on Soyuz 9. His special call sign during these flights was "Falcon" (Russian: Со́кол).

On both missions, he set new records. He stayed in orbit longer than any human before him. In August 1962, he also became the first person to make a television broadcast from space. His Vostok 3 mission was part of the first dual space flight. This meant he flew at the same time as Pavel Popovich on Vostok 4.

In the early days of space travel, cosmonauts were tested. They were placed in isolation chambers. This was to see how long they could stay alone. Many people found it very hard. But Nikolayev lasted the longest, staying for four days. Because of this, he became known as the "Iron Man."

Family Life

On November 3, 1963, he married Valentina Tereshkova. She was the first woman to fly in space. Her mission was Vostok 6. They had one daughter together. Their marriage later ended.

Later Life and Legacy

Andriyan Nikolayev passed away on July 3, 2004. He died from a heart attack in Cheboksary, Russia. This city is the capital of Chuvashia. He was buried in his home village of Shorshely.

Awards and Honors

Nikolayev received many awards for his bravery and service.

Hero of the Soviet Union, twice (1962, 1970)
Order of Lenin (1962)
Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1976)
Order of the Red Star (1961)
Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3rd class (1988)
Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" (1991)
USSR State Prize (1981)
Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR
Hero of Mongolia
Hero of Labour (1965, Mongolia)
Order of Sukhbaatar (1965, Mongolia)
Hero of Socialist Labour (Bulgaria)
Order of Georgi Dimitrov (Bulgaria)
Order of Cyril and Methodius (Bulgaria)
Hero of Socialist Labour (Vietnam, 1962)
Order "State Banner IRR" (Hungary, 1964)
National Order of Nepal (1963)
Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 2nd class (1963)
Order of the Nile (Egypt)
Honorary Citizen of the Chuvash Republic, Petrozavodsk (1980), Karaganda and Smolensk
Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR (1962)