Space Age in the history of mankind began in 1961.April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin flew into space, which in many ways turned world history.He became the first man, who climbed to hitherto unseen heights.Before that, the Soviet Union has spaceships to fly into space.In 1957 he launched the first artificial Earth satellite.
Russian Cosmonauts
In 1991, the Soviet Union breaks up.The main "space heritage" were Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.Despite a deep economic crisis and frequent armed conflicts, particularly in Russia, the development of space programs are not stopped.In many sources, there is no separation in the list of astronauts on a purely Soviet and Russian.And yet, the Russian cosmonauts - a new generation of astronauts who have worked and continue to work on improved spacecraft.
From 1961 to 2014 from the cosmodrome "Baikonur" and "Plesetsk" has been made about 248 flights.From 1991 to 2014 he held 91 start.That is more than a third of all space launches from the sites of the former Soviet Union took place during the time of independence of Russia.Given the high cost of implementing programs for the development of space, we note that it is quite a lot.
first Russian cosmonauts since independence
first flight of the spacecraft with the participation of the Russians after 1991 took place from March to August 1992.Honor awarded Alexander Y. Kaleri.Born on May 13, 1965 in the Latvian town of Jurmala.He made five space flights (August 1996-March 1997, April-May 2000, a joint mission with the US astronaut in the period from October 2003 to April 2004, from October 2010 to March 2011).
Among the first Russian cosmonauts can also distinguish Avdeyev Sergey Vasilyevich, who made 3 start.The first took place a few months after the first flight Kaleri - July 17, 1992.Avdeyev was born in a city with a symbolic name Chapaevsk that in the Kuibyshev region of the RSFSR, in 1956.The first flight it ended in February 1993.Also this cosmonaut participated in joint missions with the US Space Explorers (September 1995-February 1996).The third and final flight of his team spent with Gennady Padalka and Yuri Baturin (was at the station from October 1997 to July 1998).
How does the selection of candidates for study in the flight?
There are several criteria on which the expert committee, which consists of the astronauts, selects candidates who can after training to take part in missions.The Commission looks exclusively military pilots.These are people who have passed basic training and are able to operate in extreme situations, having a good endurance and coordination.The Commission also takes into account specific experience of flying, heights, which was flying a particular candidate.Probably the most important criterion - it is the health of the candidate at the time of selection.It is clear that it must be perfect.
After the initial selection of candidates sent to special training.Training course can take different amounts of time.It all depends on what time of the next scheduled flight.Russian cosmonauts - they are great patriots of the motherland!
space program today
Flying in space, Russia continues today.To do this, set up the necessary infrastructure, training facilities.Build on scientific research scientists new models of spaceships.How many astronauts are active in Russia today?According to statistics, in 2014 - 47 people, including one woman.Of course, not all of them will be able to fly into space, but everyone takes part in the training, ongoing training takes place in the halls and on the landfills.They have a goal - to conquer space and see the Earth from there!
