# Igor Volk

> Soviet test pilot, cosmonaut (1937-2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q280301](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q280301)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Volk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/igor-volk

## Summary
Igor Volk was a Soviet test pilot and cosmonaut (1937–2017) who played a key role in the development of Soviet aerospace technology, particularly in the Buran space program. He was awarded the title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR and received numerous honors for his contributions to aviation and spaceflight research.

## Biography
- Born: April 12, 1937
- Nationality: Soviet Union, Russia
- Education: Moscow Aviation Institute, Gromov Flight Research Institute
- Known for: Testing the OK-GLI aircraft in the Buran program and advancing Soviet aerospace engineering
- Employer(s): Gromov Flight Research Institute
- Field(s): Aerospace engineering, test piloting

## Contributions
- Tested the OK-GLI aircraft, a critical component of the Buran space program, which validated the orbiter's atmospheric flight characteristics.
- Conducted 30 test flights for the Buran program, ensuring the spacecraft's safety and performance during re-entry and landing.
- Received the title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR for his work in spaceflight research.
- Awarded the Order of Lenin, Hero of the Soviet Union, and other high honors for his service to the Soviet aerospace industry.

## FAQs
**What was Igor Volk's primary role in the Buran program?**
Volk served as a test pilot for the OK-GLI aircraft, which was used to validate the Buran orbiter's atmospheric flight capabilities before its maiden flight.

**Where did Igor Volk work during his career?**
Volk was affiliated with the Gromov Flight Research Institute, where he conducted flight testing and research for Soviet aerospace programs.

**What awards did Igor Volk receive for his work?**
Volk was awarded the Order of Lenin, Hero of the Soviet Union, and the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration," among other honors.

**What was the significance of the OK-GLI aircraft?**
The OK-GLI was the only Buran-class orbiter prototype equipped with jet engines for atmospheric testing, completing 30 flights to ensure the orbiter's safety and functionality.

## Why They Matter
Igor Volk's contributions to the Buran program were instrumental in advancing Soviet aerospace technology. His test flights provided critical data that ensured the orbiter's successful atmospheric re-entry and landing. As a Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, he played a pivotal role in the development of reusable spacecraft, influencing future space exploration efforts. His work remains a testament to the Soviet Union's engineering achievements during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- First Soviet test pilot to fly the OK-GLI aircraft in the Buran program.
- Conducted 30 test flights, validating the Buran orbiter's atmospheric flight characteristics.
- Awarded the title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR for his spaceflight research.
- Received the Order of Lenin and Hero of the Soviet Union for his service to aerospace engineering.
- Preserved as a key figure in the history of Soviet space exploration.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Igor Volk was born on April 12, 1937. He completed his education at the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Gromov Flight Research Institute, where he specialized in aerospace engineering and test piloting.

### Career and Contributions
Volk began his career in the Soviet aerospace industry, working at the Gromov Flight Research Institute. His primary role was testing the OK-GLI aircraft, a critical component of the Buran space program. The OK-GLI was designed to validate the orbiter's atmospheric flight characteristics before its maiden flight in 1988.

### Test Flights and Achievements
Volk conducted 30 test flights for the Buran program, including 10 autonomous missions. These flights provided essential data to ensure the orbiter's safety and functionality during re-entry and landing. His work was instrumental in demonstrating the feasibility of the Buran orbiter's glide-and-land capabilities.

### Awards and Recognition
For his contributions, Volk was awarded the Order of Lenin, Hero of the Soviet Union, and the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration." He also received the title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, recognizing his significant role in spaceflight research.

### Legacy
Igor Volk's legacy endures in the history of Soviet aerospace engineering. His test flights for the Buran program laid the groundwork for future reusable spacecraft development. His work remains a key reference in the study of Cold War-era space technology and Soviet aviation achievements.

### Death and Memorial
Igor Volk passed away on January 3, 2017. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in Soviet aerospace engineering and a key contributor to the Buran space program. His name is honored in the aerospace community for his dedication to advancing space exploration.

## References

1. [Google Patents](https://patents.google.com/?inventor=%D0%98%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C+%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%92%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BA)
2. Russian Aviation: A Biographical Encyclopedia: 1909–2009: A-Z
3. [Source](http://lii.ru/novosti/nagrazhdeniya-sotrudnikov-fgup-lii-im-m-m-gromova-k-70-letnemu-yubileyu-predpriyatiya/)
4. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
5. [Ушел из жизни Игорь Петрович Волк. 2017](http://www.zhukovskiy.ru/index.php/72-izbrannoe/8431-ushel-iz-zhizni-igor-petrovich-volk)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013