Known for carrying the record of permanence in space as a flag, russian astronaut Valery Poliakov He passed away on September 19 at the age of 80..
But talk about the cosmonaut who spent 437 days aboard the Russian space station Mirdespite the unfortunate news, will always be a source of pride for Roscosmos, who communicated his pain.
“The state corporation Roscosmos regrets to announce the death of Valeri Poliakov, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Russia, Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, World Record Holder for Stay in Space”, the Russian space agency wrote, quoted in ACEwhich does not clarify the cause of death.
Poliakov lived and worked on the Mir orbital station, decommissioned in 2001, for 437 days, 17 hours and 58 minutesabsolute record for the duration of an astronaut in a single mission in space.
A doctor dedicated to space research
Valeri Vladimirovich Poliakov was born in Tula, south of Moscow, on April 27, 1942. His original name is Valeri Ivánovich Korshunov, but he changed Poliakov after being adopted by his stepfather.
In 1959, At only 17 years old, he completed his doctorate in medicine in the Soviet capital, specializing in astronautical medicine. Then, in March 1972, he was selected as a cosmonaut.
His first great expedition, from August 1988 to April 1989, accumulating 240 days, received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, while for the legendary second mission at the MIR station, that of 437 days, he was decorated as Hero of Russia.
Total, Poliakov added a total duration of 678 days, 16 hours and 33 minutes in space. After his milestone stay in space, he retired in 1995 to pursue medicine.
Valeri Poliakov’s last major award was the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperationalong with astronauts Pedro Duque, John Glenn and Chiaki Mukai, for the peaceful exploration of space.
Rest in peace, space hero.