Gennady Manakov

Gennady Manakov, born on June 1, 1950, in Yefimovka, Chkalov Oblast, Russian SFSR, was a distinguished Soviet and Russian cosmonaut. His journey into the cosmos began when he was selected for the space program on September 2, 1985. With a passion for aviation, he became an accomplished aircraft pilot before taking on the monumental role of a space commander.

Throughout his career, Manakov commanded two significant Soyuz missions to the Mir space station, Soyuz TM-10 and Soyuz TM-16. His leadership and expertise contributed to the success of these missions, showcasing his dedication to advancing human exploration of space.

After a remarkable career, Gennady Manakov retired from active duty on December 20, 1996. He was a family man, married with two children, and cherished his time with them. His legacy continued to inspire many in the field of space exploration.

Sadly, Gennady Manakov passed away on September 26, 2019. His friend, fellow cosmonaut Maksim Surayev, confirmed the news, marking the end of an era for those who admired his contributions to space travel.