Valery Polyakov: biography and interesting facts

Although in the half-century that have passed since the first manned space flight, the cosmonaut's profession has ceased to be perceived as unusual, it continues to be among the rare, and the biographies of its representatives still cause interest. For example, many will want to know what expeditions Valery Polyakov (cosmonaut) took part in.

Biography

The future cosmonaut was born in Tula on April 27, 1942. In 1960, Valery graduated from school No. 4 in his native city and went to the capital, where he entered the First Moscow Medical Institute. In 1965 he received a doctor's degree. Then he continued his studies first in clinching at the Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and afterwards in the graduate school of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Health of the USSR. He defended his thesis. After 4 years, was selected for the first group of astronauts IBMP. However, to become a member of him, Valery Polyakov was able only at the second attempt. As it turned out, to realize the dream and see the Earth from the porthole of the space station was even more difficult than the young scientist supposed.

First flight

Valery Polyakov was forced to wait for inclusion in the expedition for 8 years and made his first space flight on August 29, 1988, for which he was awarded the "Gold Star" Hero of the USSR. Together with him, V. Lyakhov and A. Ahad Mohmand entered the crew. The latter became the first cosmonaut in the history of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

Was in orbit until April 27, 1989. During the expedition, which lasted 240 days 23 hours, worked with B. Titov and M. Manarov, S. Krikalev and A. Volkov and with the Frenchman J.-L. Chretien.

The second flight

Another expedition, which went to Valery Polyakov, began in January 1994 and lasted until March 22, 1995. Thus, the cosmonaut stayed in the Earth's orbit for more than 437 days, which at the moment is an absolute record of the duration of a person's stay in space during one flight. For the successful implementation of the project upon return to the land, Valery Vladimirovich was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

During the expedition, more than six hundred experiments, including unique ones, were carried out. At the same time Polyakov along with other members of the crew more than once got into freelance situations. For example, after a fire in one of the generators, the task arose to inform the Earth so as not to create unnecessary panic.

According to Valery Polyakov himself, the commander of the ship A. Viktorenko recalled him to a neighboring module and they prayed together. It turned out that faith helps not only on earth, but also in heaven. The fire was extinguished, and everything, fortunately, was all right.

Experiment SFINCSS

Victor Polyakov is a specialist with a wide range of scientific interests. In 2000, he took part in the SFINCSS experiment, which consisted in simulating a long space flight of an international crew in order to study the features of interpersonal interaction of groups consisting of representatives of different nationalities.

In addition, Polyakov is the author of 50 scientific works on space medicine, which are published even in foreign authoritative publications.

About flights to other planets

Victor Polyakov believes that long-distance expeditions are possible. He regrets that by virtue of his age he will not be able to take part in such a project.

As a living example of a long existence on board a spaceship, a scientist calls himself. After all, during his stay in space, he received 15 X-rays of radiation, which is comparable to the dose that "gets" to those who go to Mars.

In addition, such a flight is unlikely in the near future, until 2030, and by that time, the cosmonaut-pilot believes, scientists will certainly improve the protection of the ship, which will go on an interplanetary journey.

According to Valery Vladimirovich, flying in space can be long enough. The main thing is not to allow the body to adapt to zero gravity. Therefore, the astronaut must "work hard" at the top physically to return home as a healthy person.

The opinion of Polyakov on this issue is considered the most authoritative in the world, since he proved the possibility of a long-term presence in conditions of weightlessness without loss of muscle and skeleton functions on his own experience.

Awards

In addition to the two "Stars of the Hero" - the Russian Federation and the USSR, - glittering on the chest of cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, he has the French Order of the Legion of Honor. In addition, he is the Cavalier of the highest award of the long-existing Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

A family

Cosmonaut Valery Polyakov is married. His wife worked for many years as a neurologist, now retired. They have a daughter who was born in 1965. She continued her family tradition and also received medical education. He works as an ophthalmologist. He is a doctor of science. Valery Polyakov also has a granddaughter and grandson.

Now you know which expeditions the cosmonaut-researcher Valery Polyakov participated in, the photo of which is presented above, and some details of his biography are also known to you.