Pyotr Klimuk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pyotr Klimuk
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Klimuk in 1970
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| Born | 10 July 1942 Kamaroŭka, BSSR, Soviet Union
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| Status | Retired |
| Nationality | Belarusian |
| Occupation | Pilot-cosmonaut |
| Awards |
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| Space career | |
| Cosmonaut | |
| Rank | Colonel General |
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Time in space
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78d 18h 17m |
| Selection | 1965 Cosmonaut Group |
| Missions | Soyuz 13, Soyuz 18, Soyuz 30 |
Pyotr Ilyich Klimuk (born 10 July 1942) is a famous former Soviet cosmonaut. He was the very first person from Belarus to travel into space. Klimuk flew into space three times during his career. Later, from 1991 to 2003, he was in charge of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. This is a special place where cosmonauts learn how to go to space.
Contents
Pyotr Klimuk's Early Life and Training
Pyotr Klimuk was born in a small village called Kamaroŭka. He loved aviation from a young age. In 1964, he joined the Soviet Air Force. Just one year later, in 1965, he was chosen for the space program. This was a huge honor! He trained hard to become a cosmonaut.
Space Missions and Adventures
Pyotr Klimuk made three exciting journeys into space. Each mission helped scientists learn more about space.
First Space Flight: Soyuz 13
Klimuk's first space trip was on Soyuz 13 in 1973. This was a long test flight. It helped engineers check how well the spacecraft worked. It also showed how humans could live in space for longer periods.
Second Space Flight: Soyuz 18
In 1975, Klimuk went to space again on Soyuz 18. This time, his mission was to visit the Salyut 4 space station. Space stations are like orbiting homes where astronauts can live and do experiments.
Third Space Flight: Soyuz 30
His third and final space journey was in 1978. He flew on Soyuz 30 with a Polish cosmonaut named Mirosław Hermaszewski. This mission was part of the Intercosmos program. Intercosmos helped other countries send their astronauts into space with the Soviet Union.
Life After Space Flights
After his last space flight, Klimuk took on important roles on Earth.
Leading the Cosmonaut Training Center
In 1978, he stopped being an active cosmonaut. He became an assistant at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. This center is where all cosmonauts get ready for their missions. In 1991, he became the chief of the center. He held this important job until he retired in 2003. He helped train many new cosmonauts.
Education and Books
Pyotr Klimuk also studied a lot. He graduated from two important academies: the Gagarin Air Force Academy and the Lenin Military-Political Academy. He even wrote two books about human spaceflight. These books share his experiences and knowledge about traveling beyond Earth. They are called Beside the Stars and Attack on Weightlessness.
Awards and Recognition
Pyotr Klimuk received many awards for his bravery and contributions to space exploration.
- He was named Hero of the Soviet Union twice. This is one of the highest honors in the Soviet Union.
- He also received three Orders of Lenin.
- He was given the Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR title.
- He received awards from other countries too, like the Order of Merit for the Fatherland and the Legion of Honour from France.
- He was recognized for his work in space medicine and for a documentary film.
- Several cities, including Kaluga and Gagarin, made him an honorary citizen.
Images for kids
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Pyotr Klimuk in 1970.
