# Valeri Polyakov

> Soviet and Russian cosmonaut

**Wikidata**: [Q317792](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317792)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeri_Polyakov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valeri-polyakov

## Summary
Valeri Polyakov was a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut and physician recognized for his service in space exploration. He held the distinguished title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR and received top honors from both the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, including Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of the Russian Federation.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 27, 1942
- **Died:** September 7, 2022
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union; Russia
- **Education:** I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
- **Occupation:** Cosmonaut, Physician
- **Known for:** Service as a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut.

## Contributions
Valeri Polyakov served as a crew member of spacecraft, contributing to the field of space exploration as a Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR. His career bridged the Soviet and Russian space programs, exemplified by his recognition with the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" from the Russian Federation. His work as a physician-cosmonaut integrated medical expertise with manned spaceflight.

## FAQs
**What awards did Valeri Polyakov receive?**
Polyakov received numerous high-level awards, including Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation, and the Order of Lenin. He was also an Officer of the Legion of Honour and received the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

**What was Valeri Polyakov's educational background?**
He was educated at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, a prominent medical institution in Russia.

**Which international honors was Polyakov granted?**
He was named an Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) and a recipient of the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation (Spain). Additionally, he was awarded the Order of Parasat and the title Hero of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

## Why They Matter
Valeri Polyakov matters as a significant figure in the history of space exploration, representing the continuity between the Soviet and Russian space programs. His dual recognition as a Hero of the Soviet Union and a Hero of the Russian Federation underscores his enduring contribution to his nation's aerospace achievements. By combining his medical profession with his role as a cosmonaut, he played a vital role in the human aspect of space travel, recognized globally through prestigious awards like the Princess of Asturias Award.

## Notable For
- Holding the title Hero of the Soviet Union (highest title of the USSR).
- Holding the title Hero of the Russian Federation (highest honorary title of Russia).
- Receiving the Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR honor.
- Being an Officer of the Legion of Honour (France).
- Winning the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.
- Receiving the Order of Lenin (highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union).
- Being awarded the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration".
- Receiving the Order of Parasat.
- Holding the title Hero of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov was born on April 27, 1942. He pursued higher education at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in Russia, founded in 1758. This educational background established his professional foundation as a physician.

### Career and Nationality
Polyakov served as a cosmonaut and physician. His career spanned two distinct political eras, reflected in his citizenship. He was a citizen of the Soviet Union (a former country in Eurasia existent from 1922 to 1991) and subsequently a citizen of Russia (a transcontinental sovereign state established as a successor state to the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991). He held the professional title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, a Soviet title of honor established on April 14, 1961.

### Awards and Recognition
Polyakov was a highly decorated individual, receiving honors from multiple nations and international bodies.

**Soviet Honors:**
*   **Hero of the Soviet Union:** He received this highest title of the USSR, awarded for heroic acts, which was established in 1934. This award included the Gold Star medal, established in 1939.
*   **Order of Lenin:** He was awarded the highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union, which was in effect from 1930 to 1991.
*   **Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR:** A title of honor recognizing his service in spaceflight.

**Russian Honors:**
*   **Hero of the Russian Federation:** He received this highest honorary title of Russia, established in 1992.
*   **Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration":** A state medal of the Russian Federation, established in 2010.

**International and Foreign Honors:**
*   **Officer of the Legion of Honour:** He received the second rank of the French Legion of Honour.
*   **Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation:** An annual prize awarded in Spain, established in 1981.
*   **Order of Parasat:** An award from Kazakhstan (country code Q232), established in 1993.
*   **Hero of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan:** A title established in 1986.

### Death
Valeri Polyakov passed away on September 7, 2022.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.fpa.es/es/premios-princesa-de-asturias/premiados/1999-pedro-duque-john-glenn-chiaki-mukai-y-valery-polyakov.html?especifica=0&idCategoria=0&anio=1999&especifica=0)
2. [Source](http://static.kremlin.ru/media/events/files/41d36902b3a8cbf794c5.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/andrew-drew-gaffney/)
4. [Alamogordo. El Paso Times. 1996](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29963803/el_paso_times/)
5. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
6. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
7. [Биографии космонавтов СССР и РФ](https://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=1126)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](https://rus.team/people/polyakov-valerij-vladimirovich)