Artur Chilingarov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Artur Chilingarov
MP
|
|
|---|---|
| Артур Чилингаров | |
Chilingarov in 2015
|
|
| Member of the State Duma (Party List Seat) | |
| In office 5 October 2016 – 1 June 2024 |
|
| In office 24 December 2007 – 21 December 2011 |
|
| Russian Federation Senator from Tula Oblast | |
|
Representing the Executive
|
|
| In office 14 November 2011 – 1 October 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Anatoly Vaskov |
| Succeeded by | Yulia Veprintseva |
| Member of the State Duma for Nenets Autonomous Okrug | |
| In office 11 January 1994 – 24 December 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Constituency | Nenets (No. 218) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 September 1939 Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 1 June 2024 (aged 84) Moscow, Russian Federation |
| Nationality | Russian Armenian |
| Political party |
|
| Spouse | Tatyana Chilingarova |
| Children |
|
| Education | Leningrad Higher Marine Engineering School (DSc) |
| Occupation |
|
| Religion | Russian Orthodox |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions |
|
| Signature | |
 |
|
Artur Nikolaevich Chilingarov (Russian: Артур Николаевич Чилингаров; September 25, 1939 – June 1, 2024) was a famous Armenian-Russian polar explorer. He was also a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Chilingarov received the highest honors for his bravery. He was named a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1986 and a Hero of the Russian Federation in 2008. He also led the State Polar Academy.
Chilingarov was a member of the United Russia political party. He served as a member of the State Duma, which is like a parliament, from 1993 to 2011. He was elected again from 2016 until his death in 2024. He also represented Tula Oblast in the Federation Council from 2011 to 2014.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Artur Chilingarov was born in Leningrad, which is now called St. Petersburg. His mother was Russian, and his father was Armenian. His father was born in Gyumri, Armenia, and later moved to Vladikavkaz.
In 1963, Chilingarov finished his studies at the S.O. Makarov Leningrad Maritime Institute. He specialized in the Arctic region. After graduating as an engineer who studied oceans, he worked at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in Tiksi. In 1965, he became a leader in the local youth organization, Komsomol.
Adventures in the Arctic and Antarctic
Leading Expeditions
In 1969, Chilingarov became the head of a special floating ice station called "North Pole-19." These stations are set up on large pieces of ice that drift in the Arctic Ocean. Later, in 1971, he led the Bellingshausen Station during the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. This shows his early experience in both polar regions.
From 1974 to 1979, he worked in the western part of the Arctic. He was in charge of weather and environmental control for the Amderma area. During this time, he helped create new ways to guide ships in the Arctic. He also led experiments to transfer cargo onto frozen sea ice in the Yamal Peninsula during winter. Chilingarov used this experience to write his scientific paper about navigating the Northern Sea Route.
The Mikhail Somov Rescue
In 1985, Chilingarov led a special mission to rescue the research ship Mikhail Somov. The ship was stuck in thick ice in the Southern Ocean. He successfully led the rescue operations in very difficult conditions. For his excellent leadership and courage, he was given the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on February 14, 1986. This is one of the highest awards in Russia.
South Pole Journeys
In January 2002, Chilingarov led an expedition to the South Pole. He traveled with 14 other people on a small plane. When the plane had a problem, Chilingarov and other important guests were flown out by a U.S. military plane. The rest of the group was later picked up by another company.
In January 2007, he led another trip to Antarctica by helicopter. He visited the South Pole and the Amundsen-Scott station.
Planting the Russian Flag at the North Pole
During the 2007 Russian North Pole expedition, Chilingarov and five other explorers made history. They used special mini-submarines called Mir submersibles to go down almost 14,000 feet to the seabed under the North Pole. There, they planted the Russian flag and collected samples from the ocean floor. Chilingarov famously said, "The Arctic is Russian. We must prove the North Pole is an extension of the Russian landmass." This was important for Russia's claims in the Arctic region.
Exploring Lake Baikal
In July 2008, Chilingarov also took part in dives to the bottom of Lake Baikal. This lake in Siberia is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. He joined many dives to study the lake's unique plants and animals. On July 29, 2008, he reached a depth of 1,580 meters (about 5,180 feet).
Awards and Recognition
Artur Chilingarov received many awards for his bravery and contributions to science and exploration:
- Hero of the Russian Federation (January 9, 2008) – for his courage during the high-latitude Arctic expedition.
- Hero of the Soviet Union (February 14, 1986) – for rescuing the Mikhail Somov ship from the ice.
- Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class (June 12, 2007) – for his work in law-making and his expedition to the South Pole.
- Order of Naval Merit (January 27, 2003) – for his important work in exploring and using the oceans.
- Order of Lenin
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour
- Order of the Badge of Honour
- Honoured Meteorologist of the Russian Federation (February 11, 2005)
- USSR State Prize – for developing new ways to handle cargo on ice in Yamal.
- Order of Polar Star (Yakutia, November 25, 2002)
- Order of St. Mashtots (Armenia, September 17, 2008)
- Commander of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile, 2006)
- Order of Friendship (South Ossetia) (June 19, 2009)
- Chevalier Legion of Honour (France, 2010)
- Medal of Anania Shirakatsi (Armenia, October 31, 2000)
- Order of St. Prince Daniil Moskovsky, 2nd class (Russian Orthodox Church, 2009)
- Medal "Symbol of Science" (2007)
Chilingarov also wrote more than 50 scientific papers. He was elected to all the State Dumas and served as a Deputy Chairman of the Third State Duma.
He passed away on June 1, 2024, in Moscow.
See also
In Spanish: Artur Chilingárov para niños
- List of Heroes of the Russian Federation
