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Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev was called “the last citizen of the USSR”, he watched from space as the former life collapsed.
Many people do not know who Sergey Krikalev is. Although this man was awarded the title of Hero of the USSR, and the title of Hero of Russia (there are only four such people). Exactly. cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev For many years he held the record for the total time spent in space (803 days). He also went down in history as “the last citizen of the USSR”. How did that happen? Is it really “forgotten” in space?
GettyImages Cosmonaut Sergey Krikalev The future cosmonaut was born on August 27, 1958 in Leningrad, in a military family. He grew up strong and athletic guy, from an early age he loved swimming, although he tried himself in other sports. At the same time, he studied well, and in 1981 he graduated from the legendary Voenmeh, having received the qualification of a mechanical engineer.
Later, Krikalev admitted that in his student years he dreamed of space, although he understood that the chances of this are minimal. In 1983-1984, he passed the exams in the cosmonaut squad. And in 1985 he began to prepare for flights. In 1986 he received the specialty “test cosmonaut”, and then 2 years worked on the project “Buran”.
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Publication from Sergey Krikalev's fan-site! (@sergei.krikalev)
The first flight of Sergey Krikalev into orbit took place in the autumn of 1988. His duties included experimenting and troubleshooting on board. The flight lasted 151 days, and photos of the young astronaut appeared in the newspapers. Upon his return, he received the title of Hero of the USSR. But with the second flight there were difficulties.
In December 1990, preparations for sending to the Mir station began. The spacecraft launched on May 18, 1991. It was expected that the return of Krikalev will happen in 5 months, but in fact it happened differently.
At this time, the collapse of the USSR occurred, difficulties arose with financial support and crews. Therefore, the astronaut was asked to stay longer, the return was postponed. This was an offer to stay, a request, not an order. In case of refusal, management promised to look for other ways.
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Publication from Sergey Krikalev's fan-site! (@sergei.krikalev)
Forgotten in space? “I knew that the best option for the program was my consent. Of course I doubted it. It's like you're getting close to the finish line and you're being told to run another 10 kilometers. But I finally agreed. I did not consult with my family, I did not want to shift responsibility, Krikalev admitted years later in an interview.
The Soviet station Mir continued to revolve around planet Earth, even though the USSR itself had already collapsed. And the country that sent Sergey into space no longer existed. Curiously, the station seemed to be the last piece of the Soviet Union, and Krikalev remained the last citizen of the USSR.
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Posted by Incredible Stories (@zagado4nii_mir)
Of course, such a long stay in orbit threatened serious health problems. There is a weakening of the immune system, and radiation, and the risk of cancer. However, Sergei had the opportunity at any time to use the rescue capsule and return home. In this case, the station itself would be destroyed. Krikalev did not leave his workplace. Although he was forced to stay in space twice as long as planned - 311 days.
Hyperinflation in Russia forced the country’s leadership to sell seats to the orbital station. Thanks to the fact that Germany bought Krikalev’s place for its own flight engineer (the price of the question was $ 24 million), the astronaut was able to return home.
Only on March 25, 1992, this selfless man in a suit with large letters "USSR" and the flag of the Soviet Union came to the earth's surface. His skin was pale flour color, he barely stood on his feet, he was supported by several people.
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Posting from Leaky 90s (@top90e)
During this time, his native Leningrad became St. Petersburg. The land where he landed was no longer Soviet, as it now belonged to Kazakhstan. Until recently, a huge salary of an astronaut in 600 rubles now allowed you to buy only a few sticks of sausage.
Of course, for his feat Sergey Krikalev was awarded the title of Hero of Russia, received as a gift "Volga". In 1994, he became the first Russian cosmonaut to fly on an American space shuttle. After that, he made three more flights into orbit, setting a world record for the total duration of stay in space.
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Publication by Retro FM Lipetsk (@retrofm_lipetsk)
In recent years, he worked in Roscosmos as the head of manned programs. He opposed the decision of the management of the state corporation to finance the shooting of the film “Call”. Because of this conflict, he almost lost his job. About the shooting of the film with Julia Peresild, we have already told a little earlier.
Photo at preview and in article
GettyImages Cosmonaut Sergey Krikalev The future cosmonaut was born on August 27, 1958 in Leningrad, in a military family. He grew up strong and athletic guy, from an early age he loved swimming, although he tried himself in other sports. At the same time, he studied well, and in 1981 he graduated from the legendary Voenmeh, having received the qualification of a mechanical engineer.
Later, Krikalev admitted that in his student years he dreamed of space, although he understood that the chances of this are minimal. In 1983-1984, he passed the exams in the cosmonaut squad. And in 1985 he began to prepare for flights. In 1986 he received the specialty “test cosmonaut”, and then 2 years worked on the project “Buran”.
View this post on Instagram
Publication from Sergey Krikalev's fan-site! (@sergei.krikalev)
The first flight of Sergey Krikalev into orbit took place in the autumn of 1988. His duties included experimenting and troubleshooting on board. The flight lasted 151 days, and photos of the young astronaut appeared in the newspapers. Upon his return, he received the title of Hero of the USSR. But with the second flight there were difficulties.
In December 1990, preparations for sending to the Mir station began. The spacecraft launched on May 18, 1991. It was expected that the return of Krikalev will happen in 5 months, but in fact it happened differently.
At this time, the collapse of the USSR occurred, difficulties arose with financial support and crews. Therefore, the astronaut was asked to stay longer, the return was postponed. This was an offer to stay, a request, not an order. In case of refusal, management promised to look for other ways.
View this post on Instagram
Publication from Sergey Krikalev's fan-site! (@sergei.krikalev)
Forgotten in space? “I knew that the best option for the program was my consent. Of course I doubted it. It's like you're getting close to the finish line and you're being told to run another 10 kilometers. But I finally agreed. I did not consult with my family, I did not want to shift responsibility, Krikalev admitted years later in an interview.
The Soviet station Mir continued to revolve around planet Earth, even though the USSR itself had already collapsed. And the country that sent Sergey into space no longer existed. Curiously, the station seemed to be the last piece of the Soviet Union, and Krikalev remained the last citizen of the USSR.
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Incredible Stories (@zagado4nii_mir)
Of course, such a long stay in orbit threatened serious health problems. There is a weakening of the immune system, and radiation, and the risk of cancer. However, Sergei had the opportunity at any time to use the rescue capsule and return home. In this case, the station itself would be destroyed. Krikalev did not leave his workplace. Although he was forced to stay in space twice as long as planned - 311 days.
Hyperinflation in Russia forced the country’s leadership to sell seats to the orbital station. Thanks to the fact that Germany bought Krikalev’s place for its own flight engineer (the price of the question was $ 24 million), the astronaut was able to return home.
Only on March 25, 1992, this selfless man in a suit with large letters "USSR" and the flag of the Soviet Union came to the earth's surface. His skin was pale flour color, he barely stood on his feet, he was supported by several people.
View this post on Instagram
Posting from Leaky 90s (@top90e)
During this time, his native Leningrad became St. Petersburg. The land where he landed was no longer Soviet, as it now belonged to Kazakhstan. Until recently, a huge salary of an astronaut in 600 rubles now allowed you to buy only a few sticks of sausage.
Of course, for his feat Sergey Krikalev was awarded the title of Hero of Russia, received as a gift "Volga". In 1994, he became the first Russian cosmonaut to fly on an American space shuttle. After that, he made three more flights into orbit, setting a world record for the total duration of stay in space.
View this post on Instagram
Publication by Retro FM Lipetsk (@retrofm_lipetsk)
In recent years, he worked in Roscosmos as the head of manned programs. He opposed the decision of the management of the state corporation to finance the shooting of the film “Call”. Because of this conflict, he almost lost his job. About the shooting of the film with Julia Peresild, we have already told a little earlier.
Photo at preview and in article
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