# Sergei Krikalev

> Soviet and Russian cosmonaut

**Wikidata**: [Q313815](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313815)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Krikalev)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sergei-krikalev

## Summary
Sergei Krikalev is a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut and engineer renowned for holding the record for the most cumulative time spent in space. He contributed significantly to human space exploration through missions including Expedition 11 to the International Space Station and received numerous prestigious awards from both the Soviet Union and Russia.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1958-08-27  
- **Nationality**: Soviet Union (until 1991), Russia (after 1991)  
- **Education**: Baltic State Technical University (in 1932; country: Russia/Soviet Union)  
- **Known for**: Cosmonaut and engineer with record cumulative time in space  
- **Employer(s)**:  
  - Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center  
  - S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia  
  - TsNIIMash  
- **Field(s)**: astronaut, engineer  

## Contributions
- As a cosmonaut, Krikalev participated in Expedition 11 to the International Space Station, contributing to long-duration human space missions.  
- He contributed to Russia's space technology sector through his work at S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the primary developer of Russian crewed spacecraft.  
- At TsNIIMash, he engaged in research and projecting for rocket and spacecraft systems, supporting advanced space technology development.  
- His training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center helped shape future cosmonaut programs and international space collaborations.  

## FAQs
1. **What awards has Sergei Krikalev received?**  
   He received the Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation, Order of Lenin, Order of Honour, Officer of the Legion of Honour, NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, and Olympic sports honors like Honoured Master of Sports of Russia.  

2. **Which organizations has Krikalev been affiliated with?**  
   He worked with the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, and TsNIIMash, contributing to cosmonaut training, spacecraft development, and aerospace research.  

3. **What is Krikalev's record in space exploration?**  
   He holds the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by an individual during his career as a cosmonaut.  

4. **Where was Krikalev educated?**  
   He attended Baltic State Technical University in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  

5. **What distinguishes Krikalev's sports achievements?**  
   He earned Master of Sport of the USSR and Honoured Master of Sports of Russia, highlighting his excellence in athletics.  

## Why They Matter
Sergei Krikalev's record-breaking time in space advanced human endurance limits in microgravity and set benchmarks for future long-duration missions. His work at Energia and TsNIIMash was pivotal in developing Russia's spacecraft technology, including Soyuz vessels that remain critical to International Space Station operations. As a trainer at the Yuri Gagarin Center, he influenced generations of cosmonauts, while his NASA collaborations fostered international space cooperation. His receipt of top honors from both Soviet and Russian governments underscores his dual legacy as a national hero and global space pioneer.

## Notable For
- Record holder for most cumulative time spent in space by an individual  
- Recipient of Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of the Russian Federation (highest national titles of both eras)  
- Awarded the Order of Lenin, the Soviet Union's highest decoration  
- Officer of the Legion of Honour (second rank of the French Legion of Honour)  
- NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal recipient  
- Master of Sport of the USSR and Honoured Master of Sports of Russia  
- Honorary citizen of Saint Petersburg  
- Affiliated with Expedition 11 to the International Space Station  

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sergei Krikalev was born on August 27, 1958. He studied at Baltic State Technical University in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he developed foundational expertise in engineering. This education equipped him for his subsequent roles in aerospace technology and space exploration.

### Cosmonaut Career and Missions
Krikalev served as a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut, participating in multiple space missions. Notably, he was a crew member of Expedition 11 to the International Space Station, contributing to long-duration scientific research and station operations. His cumulative time in space set a record, cementing his status as one of the most experienced astronauts in history.

### Institutional Affiliations
- **Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center**: As an affiliated cosmonaut, Krikalev contributed to training programs that prepare astronauts for space missions, emphasizing skills critical for survival and research in microgravity.  
- **S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia**: He worked with this Russian spacecraft manufacturer, the primary developer of crewed vehicles like Soyuz, supporting advancements in human spaceflight technology.  
- **TsNIIMash**: Affiliated with this Russian rocket and spacecraft scientific center (established in 1946), Krikalev engaged in research and "projecting" (technical planning) for aerospace systems, including proposals for satellite-deorbiting spacecraft.  

### Awards and Honors
Krikalev received an extensive array of accolades reflecting his contributions to space and sports:  
- **Soviet/Russian Awards**: Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation, Order of Lenin, Order of Honour, Order of Friendship of Peoples, Gold Star medal, and Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR.  
- **International Recognition**: Officer of the Legion of Honour (France), Order of the Rising Sun (Japan), and NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and NASA Exceptional Service Medal.  
- **Sports Honors**: Master of Sport of the USSR and Honoured Master of Sports of Russia.  
- **Civilian Recognition**: Medal "In Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg" and honorary citizenship of Saint Petersburg.  

### Legacy and Impact
Krikalev's work at Energia and TsNIIMash directly influenced Russia's space capabilities, ensuring continuity in crewed missions during political transitions. His NASA collaborations strengthened international partnerships in space exploration. As a trainer at the Yuri Gagarin Center, he mentored cosmonauts who sustained Russia's presence on the ISS. His endurance record remains a benchmark for astronaut selection and mission planning, while his dual recognition from Soviet and Russian authorities symbolizes unity in scientific achievement across eras.

## References

1. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20151031230332/https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/krikalev.html)
2. [Source](http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/krikalev.html)
3. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
4. [Source](http://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=930)
5. Munzinger Personen
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013