Soviet cosmonaut and scientist Valentin Lebedev: biography

The planet Earth is a grain of sand compared to the immeasurable power of the universe. Innumerable star clusters, mysterious planets, dangerous black holes are permanent inhabitants of the world, the conditions of which are disastrous for earthlings. The cosmos and everything connected with it, for many centuries attracted and excited inquisitive minds. The result of research and scientific research has become extensive knowledge about this vast and absolutely alien world for us. Of course, developments in this direction are constantly being carried out, since it is possible to study the laws of the cosmos forever. People who have devoted their lives to such work are certainly worthy of respect. They are astronomers, cosmologists, astrophysicists and cosmonauts.

Moscow childhood

Lebedev Valentin V. - Soviet pilot-cosmonaut, PhD, professor and master of sports. This man served faithfully in the worthy cause of scientific space exploration, and therefore firmly entered the history of world astronautics. In the world registry he was assigned number 70, and according to the Soviet census - № 29. Valentin Lebedev during his career made two flights outside the Earth and once for a fairly long time (more than two hours) went into open space.

The future cosmonaut was born in Moscow. The date of his birth is known: April 14, 1942. He was brought up in an ordinary family. His mother - Antonina Fedorovna - worked as an accountant, and his father - Vitaly Vladimirovich - chose a career military. Probably, the decision of the boy to choose this courageous profession was influenced by the genes of his father. Valentin Lebedev studied at the Naro-Fominsk Secondary School No. 4, which he graduated in 1959. At this time, the young man decided on the vector of movement and life priorities, deciding to choose the path of the pilot.

Long road to space: the beginning

The Orenburg Aviation School is the conscious choice of the future cosmonaut. Training there allowed the guy to establish himself in the idea of the correctness of the chosen road. Unfortunately, in those days there was a reorganization and reduction of the Armed Forces of the USSR, so frequent changes occurred in this area. In the end, the aviation school, in which Lebedev was trained, was disbanded. Valentin decided not to change his dream and entered the Moscow Aviation Institute at the Faculty of Aircraft. But the young man did not stop studying, but at the same time began to master the difficult matter of controlling aircraft. He flew on such apparatus as the Yak-18, Il-29, got acquainted with the MI-1 helicopter. And he began work with the development of gliders (KAI-12). Thus, Valentin Lebedev felt power over metal aircraft, subordinating them to himself.

Work in the Central Design Bureau

Even while studying at the MAI named after S. Ordzhonikidze, the young man submitted an application for admission to the cosmonaut detachment. And in 1963 he received a recommendation from the party cell of the Institute. Now this sounds surprising, but in Soviet times without such accompaniment it was impossible to obtain admission to activity in serious organizations. After graduating from the institute, Valentin Lebedev obtained permission to work in the Central Design Bureau. This organization was then headed by the legendary SP Korolev. Later, in 1979, the institution was renamed and became known as NPO Energia. In this organization, Valentin Lebedev, whose biography was making his decisive turn, went from a rank-and-file engineer to a senior research fellow.

In 1967, the scientist participated in expeditions in the Indian Ocean, organized to search for unmanned spacecraft "Zond", used for flights to the moon. The following year, again in India, the engineer led a team of specialists who served the Zond-5, a space station that flew around the moon and provided high-quality images of our satellite for the first time to Earthmen.

Lebedev Valentin Anatolyevich has increasingly linked his activities with space and developments in this field. This is indicated by further milestones in his biography:

• Improved the development of rescue tools for space crews when landing on water and land.
• Participated in the flight-design trials of such ships as Progress, Soyuz, orbital stations Salyut (from the fourth to the sixth).
• He worked at the Baikonur cosmodrome as the head of the operational and technical group.
• He was an instructor-methodologist at the Cosmonaut Training Center, where he prepared the crews of the Soyuz spacecraft (4-9) for the flight.
• He developed documentation on manual docking and convergence techniques, as well as ship and orbital station control.

Preparation for flight

Having received the necessary experience, engaged in such diversified activities, Valentin Lebedev came close to the goal. In 1969, an outstanding engineer received admission to special training. It was issued by the Main Medical Commission after a thorough and comprehensive examination of the future cosmonaut. This took place within the walls of a respected organization called the Institute for Biomedical Problems. In connection with this significant event in the life of Lebedev, he had to interrupt the training in the school of test pilots. During his studies he managed to master the piloting of the MiG-15 and Mig-21 fighters.

After intensive preparation for space flight (while as an understudy), Valentin Vitalievich showed such excellent results that he was unquestionably enlisted in the main crew.

The first space trip of Lebedev

The flight started in 1973, in the winter (December 18). Valentin Lebedev was a part of the crew of the Soyuz-13 spacecraft as a flight engineer. His callsign is "Kavkaz-2". The flight was not long - about 7 days, but had a huge scientific value. The matter is that the spacecraft was equipped with a new system of telescopes of the brand "Orion-2", thanks to the well-coordinated work of the newest equipment and professional engineers, the most important astrophysical observations of the ultraviolet spectrum under vacuum conditions began.

Two years after the end of his first flight, Lebedev defended his thesis on the training of crews with the help of a training stand and methodical techniques that contribute to this. All this time the cosmonaut continues to work in the NGO Energia. Candidate dissertation, brilliantly protected by him, offered a fundamentally new, improved look at training before going into space. Especially important was the maximum realistic conditions for their conduct: star space, the nuances of rapprochement, docking, space routes.

Flight engineer with the call sign "Elbrus-2"

The second flight of Lebedev, which took place in 1982 on the space complex called Soyuz-T-5 (except for it, such ships as the Progress cargo ship and the Salyut-7 orbital station), entered the Guinness Book of Records By the length of time in space (more than 211 days). The flight went down in history not only in terms of duration, but also because during this time Lebedev conducted many experiments and introduced an extensive research program. It is interesting that this flight was conducted by the flight engineer, without separating from the call sign "Elbrus-2". During the flight, Lebedev went into open space and stayed there for over two hours. As a result, he was awarded the title of first-class instructor-cosmonaut-tester.

By the way, the orbital station Salyut-7, which is part of the complex, intended for scientific, medical and technological research in a vacuum, has become the latest model of this series.

Priceless scientific experiments

During the two space travels, the talented flight engineer conducted about three hundred necessary experiments in various fields of science and technology. Many of them were unique. Measurements of the composition of the atmosphere near the station were made, the level of vibration inside the space complex was clarified, methods for obtaining sterile biological samples were developed. And finally, for the first time in the history of cosmonautics, a plant called "Arabidopsis" was grown aboard the KK, which underwent a full development cycle.

In addition, it was possible to develop a methodology for autonomous control of the orbital station Salyut-7 with the aim of detecting tectonic and geological structures on our planet. Thus, a hint was given in which direction it is necessary to search for oil, polymetallic and gas deposits in the Altai region.

After the flights Valentin Lebedev continued to work in the Design Bureau and engage in scientific activities. So, in 1985, the engineer defended his doctoral thesis on the topic of methodological developments that facilitate the operation of orbital complexes and increase their effectiveness. This work has become to some extent revolutionary - in it Valentin Vitalievich proposed optimizing the work of the crew, saving him from unnecessary routine, and also made adjustments to the location of the surveying equipment.

Valentin Lebedev: astronaut's diary

In addition to scientific works (193), which until now take as a basis students of many universities of a specific orientation, Valentin Vitalievich wrote books. For example, "My Dimension" and "Materials of Scientific Research of the Flight Engineer". But these works were created using the materials of the legendary "Diary of the Astronaut". The uniqueness of the records is that they were not conducted for publication, but simply to pour out their feelings and emotions on paper. Ignoring the stylistics, the cosmonaut described the days before the start, during it, as well as being on board the station. Noteworthy is the oath given to Lebedev himself immediately before the flight. In it, he promised not to get excited, not to offend the partner, to take responsibility for the decisions made and to give himself completely to the work.

Of course, there is room in the diary for the feelings that the cosmonaut experienced in relation to the family, the mother. Between the lines there is a longing for the native and the Earth. Also included in the record are information on the physical complexity of adaptation to extraterrestrial conditions: insomnia, nausea, persistent headaches. There were also unfavorable psychological moments - it was difficult to establish contact with the partner because of the accumulated tension.

"Diary of the astronaut" for the first time reveals the veil and shows the everyday life of these people, their thoughts and feelings. These notes are very informative for those who are interested in activities in space.

Awards found a hero

Outstanding cosmonaut Valentin V. Lebedev made a significant contribution to space, astrophysical, navigation and geological research. This man, who sincerely devoted his life to science, could not fail to receive many awards and distinctions. He did not strive to become a celebrity, but simply did his job with quality and soul. For example, even while on vacation, Valentin Vitalievich could not be idle - he went along with his students to help build the legendary BAM, for which he received another award - the medal "For the construction of BAM." In addition, the cosmonaut was awarded the following titles and distinctions:

• "Hero of the Soviet Union" (two-fold).
• Order of the IV degree "For Services to the Fatherland".
• Order of Lenin (two awards).
• "For merits in space exploration" - a medal.
• In France, the cosmonaut received the Order of the Legion of Honor.
• Honored Worker of Science of Russia.

In addition, as already mentioned, his flight was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, a bust of a glorious flight engineer was installed on the Moscow Avenue of Cosmonauts, Valentin Vitalievich is an honorary citizen of many Russian cities, in particular Naro-Fominsk. And NASA made a proposal to make Lebedev honorary citizen of Texas for a significant contribution to the development of space exploration. And finally, one of the small planets is named after a talented scientist - this decision was taken by the International Astronomical Union.

A little bit about your personal life

As for the private life of Valentin Lebedev, everything is stable here - he has long been married to a beautiful woman, close to him both spiritually and professionally (she is also an engineer). Lyudmila Vitalevna, the wife of the cosmonaut, is currently on a well-deserved rest in the status of a pensioner. The couple has a son born in 1972 - Vitaly Valentinovich. He works as a lawyer.

The Lebedians have a grandson Demid and granddaughter Anastasia. Valentin Vitalievich lives in Moscow with his family.