Viktor Gorbatko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viktor Gorbatko
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Viktor Gorbatko in Vologda, 2011
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Viktor Vasilyevich Gorbatko
3 December 1934 Ventsy-Zarya, Azov-Black Sea Krai, Soviet Union
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| Died | 17 May 2017 (aged 82) |
| Resting place | Federal Military Memorial Cemetery, Moscow Oblast |
| Nationality | Soviet |
| Occupation | Pilot |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (2) Order of Lenin (3) |
| Space career | |
| Cosmonaut | |
| Rank | Major General, Soviet Air Force |
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Time in space
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30d 12h 47m |
| Selection | Air Force Group 1 |
| Missions | Soyuz 7, Soyuz 24, Soyuz 37/Soyuz 36 |
Viktor Vasilyevich Gorbatko (Russian: Ви́ктор Васи́льевич Горбатко́) was a brave Soviet cosmonaut. He flew on three important space missions: Soyuz 7, Soyuz 24, and Soyuz 37. He was born on December 3, 1934, and passed away on May 17, 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Viktor Vasilievich Gorbatko was born in a place called Ventsy-Zarya in the Northern Caucasus. His parents were Vasili Pavlovich and Matrena Aleksandrovna Gorbatko. Viktor grew up with four siblings: Boris, Elena, Valentina, and Ludmila.
He finished seventh grade in 1949. Then, he went to a secondary school in the Novokubanski district. Viktor's dream of becoming a pilot began during a big conflict between the Soviets and the Nazis. His older brothers and sisters often told him exciting stories about brave pilots and their adventures. These stories made him want to fly too.
Becoming a Pilot
In 1952, Viktor joined the Soviet Army. He immediately asked to be sent to flight school. He went to the 8th Military Aviation School in Pavlograd, Ukraine. There, he learned how to fly airplanes.
Viktor worked hard and graduated on June 23, 1956. He became a lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force. After graduation, he joined the 86th Guards Fighter Regiment. He became a senior pilot in 1957. Later, he earned the rank of senior lieutenant in 1958.
Viktor married Valentina Pavlovna Ordynskaya. They had two daughters, Irina and Marina. Marina was born in 1960.
Journey to Space
Viktor Gorbatko was chosen to be one of the very first Soviet cosmonauts. He started his special training in early 1960. It took several years of hard work before he finally went to space.
First Space Mission: Soyuz 7
Viktor's first space journey was on the Soyuz 7 mission. This happened from October 12 to 17, 1969. On this flight, he worked as a Research Engineer. The mission aimed to test equipment for lunar (moon) travel. They tried to connect with another spacecraft, Soyuz 8, but it didn't work. This was the last test before the moon program was stopped.
Second Space Mission: Soyuz 24
In February 1977, Gorbatko commanded the Soyuz 24 mission. This flight lasted for 18 days. The crew traveled to the Salyut 5 space station. This was the last space mission by the Soviet Union that only had military crew members.
Third Space Mission: Soyuz 37
In 1980, Gorbatko commanded his third mission, Soyuz 37. On this flight, he flew with Pham Tuân. Pham Tuân became the first astronaut from Vietnam. Gorbatko and Pham Tuân traveled to the Salyut 6 space station. They later returned to Earth in the Soyuz 36 capsule. This mission lasted for 7 days and 20 hours. In total, Viktor Gorbatko spent over 30 days in space during his career.
Life After Space
After leaving the space program in 1982, Viktor Gorbatko became a teacher. He taught at the Air Force Engineering Academy in Moscow. He shared his knowledge and experiences with new generations. Viktor Gorbatko passed away on May 17, 2017. He was buried at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery.
Awards and Honors
Viktor Gorbatko received many important awards for his bravery and service.
His awards from the Soviet Union and Russia include:
- Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (a very high honor)
- Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR
- Three Orders of Lenin
- Order of Friendship
- Order of the Red Star
- Medal "For Distinction in the Protection of the State Borders"
- Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"
- Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Soviet Militia"
He also received awards from other countries:
- Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic
- Hero of Socialist Labour (Vietnam)
- Order of Sukhbaatar (Mongolia)
- Order of the Red Banner (Mongolia)
- Medal "50 Years of the Mongolian People's Revolution"
- Medal "60 Years of the Mongolian People's Revolution"
- Medal "50 Years of the Mongolian People's Army"
- Medal "60 Years of the Mongolian People's Army"
- Medal "40 years Khalkhin Gol Victory" (Mongolia)
- Medal "30 Years of Victory over Japan's Militarists" (Mongolia)
- Medal of Friendship (Mongolia)
- Medal "Brotherhood in Arms" (East Germany)
- Medal "Brotherhood in Arms" (Poland)
- Order of Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
Images for kids
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Viktor Gorbatko (left) and Yury Glazkov (right) on a 1977 U.S.S.R. postage stamp
See also
In Spanish: Víktor Gorbatkó para niños
