Vladimir Kovalyonok

Vladimir Kovalyonok, born on March 3, 1942, is a distinguished retired Soviet cosmonaut whose remarkable career in the aerospace field has left an indelible mark on space exploration. He embarked on his journey in the Soviet space program on July 5, 1967, and quickly rose through the ranks to become the commander of three significant missions.

One of his most notable achievements was the long-endurance mission EO-2, where he partnered with Aleksandr Ivanchenkov. This mission set a new record, with the duo spending an impressive one hundred thirty-nine days in space, showcasing their resilience and dedication to advancing human presence beyond Earth.

After a successful career, Kovalyonok retired from the cosmonaut team on June 23, 1984. His expertise did not go unnoticed, as he took on the role of Director of the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute within the Ministry of Defence of Russia from 1990 to 1992, further contributing to the field of military aviation and research.