Konstantin Feoktistov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Konstantin Feoktistov
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Feoktistov in 1964
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| Born | 7 February 1926 |
| Died | 21 November 2009 (aged 83) Moscow, Russia
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| Nationality | Soviet Union & Russia |
| Other names | Rubin |
| Alma mater | Bauman Moscow Higher Technical School |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
| Space career | |
| Cosmonaut | |
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Time in space
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1d 00h 17m |
| Selection | Civilian Specialist Group 1 |
| Missions | Voskhod 1 |
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Konstantin Petrovich Feoktistov (Russian: Константин Петрович Феоктистов; 7 February 1926 – 21 November 2009) was a Russian engineer and a cosmonaut. He was part of the early Soviet space program.
As a cosmonaut, Feoktistov flew on Voskhod 1. This was the first spacecraft to carry three crew members. He also wrote several books about space technology and exploration. A crater on the far side of the Moon is named in his honor.
Contents
Konstantin Feoktistov's Life Story
Early Life and War Experience
During World War II, when he was just 16, Feoktistov fought with the Soviet Army. He helped against the German troops in Voronezh. He carried out reconnaissance missions, which are like scouting for information.
He was captured by a German patrol. A German officer shot him, but the bullet went through his chin and neck without killing him. Feoktistov managed to crawl away and reach the Soviet lines.
Education and Space Design
After the war, Feoktistov studied engineering. He went to the Bauman Moscow Higher Technical School and graduated in 1949. He later earned a doctorate in physics.
He joined a design bureau, which is a team of engineers. In 1955, he became part of the team that designed famous spacecraft. This included the Sputnik satellites, the Vostok space capsule, the Voskhod space capsule, and the Soyuz space capsule. Their leader was the Soviet Chief Designer Sergey Korolev. During this time, Feoktistov also worked on a design for a special spacecraft. It would use an ion thruster and could take humans to Mars.
Becoming a Cosmonaut
In 1964, Feoktistov was chosen to train as a cosmonaut. In October of that year, he was quickly assigned to the Voskhod 1 crew. This crew had members with different skills.
He was the first civilian, meaning not a military person, to fly in space. He was also the only cosmonaut in the Soviet Union who was not a member of the Communist Party. He spent just over 24 hours and 17 minutes in space on his flight.
After Space Flight
After the Voskhod 1 flight, Feoktistov's training for more space missions stopped. This was due to medical reasons. However, he continued his work in space engineering.
He later became the head of the Soviet space design bureau. This team designed the Salyut and Mir space stations. These stations were like homes in space where astronauts lived and worked.
International Friendship
In October 1969, Konstantin Feoktistov and Georgi Beregovoi visited the United States. They were guests of NASA, the American space agency. They visited many cities and even Disneyland in California.
US astronauts like Eugene Cernan and Neil Armstrong joined them as hosts. They had receptions in Hollywood, hosted by people like Kirk Douglas. Special agents protected them during their trip. When they were with Eugene Cernan, bands often played the song "Fly Me to the Moon". At Disneyland, they enjoyed the "Trip To The Moon" ride. They joked with the US astronauts that they went to Disneyland, not the Moon! Everyone enjoyed the trip, and new international friendships were made.
In 1990, Feoktistov left his engineering job at Energia. He then returned to Bauman Moscow Higher Technical School as a professor.
Honours and Awards
- Hero of the Soviet Union
- Title Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR
- Order of Lenin
- Two Orders of the Patriotic War 1st class
- Two Orders of the Red Banner of Labour
- Order of the Badge of Honour
- Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
- Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"
- State Prize of the USSR
- Lenin Prize
- Hero of Socialist Labour (Vietnam)
