# Valery Ryumin

> Soviet and Russian cosmonaut (1939–2022)

**Wikidata**: [Q472497](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q472497)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valery_Ryumin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valery-ryumin

## Summary

Valery Ryumin was born on August 16, 1939, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur[1][2], and died on June 6, 2022, in Mytishchi[3]. He held citizenship in the Soviet Union and Russia. He worked as an astronaut, engineer, and flight engineer, contributing to the fields of astronautics and space exploration[4]. His spouse was Yelena Kondakova.Over his career, he received numerous awards, including the Hero of the Soviet Union, Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, the Order of Lenin, the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class, and the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"[5][6].

## Summary
Valery Ryumin was a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut and engineer renowned for his contributions to space exploration. Born in 1939, he embarked on multiple space missions, including Soyuz 25, 32, 35, and STS-91, and held the record for the longest cumulative time in space. Ryumin received numerous honors, such as the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin, solidifying his legacy as a pivotal figure in astronautics.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 16, 1939, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union (1939–1991), Russia (1991–2022)
- **Education:** Graduated from Moscow State Forest University in 1966
- **Known for:** Prolific career as a cosmonaut and flight engineer, record-breaking space missions
- **Employer(s):** Soviet space program, Russian space agency
- **Field(s):** Astronautics, space exploration

## Contributions
Valery Ryumin participated in several historic space missions:
- **Soyuz 25 (1977):** First mission, though docking with Salyut 6 failed.
- **Soyuz 32 and Soyuz 34 (1979):** Conducted a 175-day mission aboard Salyut 6, setting a duration record.
- **Soyuz 35 and Soyuz 37 (1980):** Spent 185 days in space, further extending the record.
- **STS-91 (1998):** Flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, contributing to Mir-NASA cooperation.

His missions advanced long-duration spaceflight capabilities and international collaboration.

## FAQs
**What were Valery Ryumin's most notable space missions?**  
Ryumin flew on Soyuz 25, 32, 34, 35, 37, and STS-91, with his 1980 mission setting a record for the longest single spaceflight at the time.

**What awards did Valery Ryumin receive?**  
He was twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin, alongside honors like the Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR and the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration."

**How long did Valery Ryumin spend in space?**  
He accumulated 535,284 minutes (approximately 372 days) in space, a record for his era.

**What roles did Ryumin hold beyond being a cosmonaut?**  
He served as a flight engineer and held the military rank of podpolkovnik (lieutenant colonel).

## Why They Matter
Valery Ryumin's extensive space missions and records in long-duration flight were foundational to understanding human endurance in space. His work paved the way for future international collaborations, such as the Shuttle-Mir program, and influenced the development of the International Space Station. His achievements demonstrated the feasibility of prolonged space habitation, a critical step toward modern space exploration.

## Notable For
- Held the record for cumulative time in space (372 days) during his career.
- Recipient of the Hero of the Soviet Union title (twice) and the Order of Lenin (three times).
- First cosmonaut to fly on both Soyuz and Space Shuttle missions.
- Inducted into the Russian Federation's highest honors, including the State Prize of the Russian Federation.
- Honored internationally with awards from Vietnam, Cuba, and Kazakhstan.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Valery Victorovich Ryumin was born on August 16, 1939, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Soviet Union. He graduated from Moscow State Forest University in 1966 with a degree in engineering, laying the groundwork for his career in astronautics.

### Career and Missions
Ryumin joined the Soviet space program as a cosmonaut in 1973. His first mission, Soyuz 25 (1977), ended in failure due to docking issues with the Salyut 6 space station. Undeterred, he embarked on Soyuz 32 in 1979, spending 175 days aboard Salyut 6 and setting a new endurance record. Later that year, he returned via Soyuz 34, further solidifying his reputation.

In 1980, Ryumin commanded Soyuz 35, conducting a 185-day mission that broke his previous record. He also participated in Soyuz 37, demonstrating his adaptability and expertise. Nearly two decades later, he flew on STS-91 (1998), a NASA-Shuttle mission to the Mir space station, symbolizing post-Cold War cooperation.

### Honors and Legacy
Ryumin's achievements earned him numerous accolades, including:
- **Hero of the Soviet Union (1979, 1980)**
- **Order of Lenin (1979, 1980, 1982)**
- **Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR (1977)**
- **Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" (2011)**
- International honors such as the **Order of Hồ Chí Minh** (Vietnam) and **Hero of the Republic of Cuba**.

He was also awarded the **State Prize of the Russian Federation** (1999) and the **USSR State Prize** (1980).

### Personal Life and Later Years
Ryumin was married to Yelena Kondakova, a fellow cosmonaut. He passed away on June 6, 2022, in Mytishchi, Russia, and was buried at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery. His legacy endures as a pioneer of long-duration spaceflight and a bridge between Soviet and Russian space programs.

### International Impact
Ryumin's participation in the Shuttle-Mir program highlighted the shift toward collaborative space efforts, influencing current international projects like the ISS. His adaptability across Soyuz and Shuttle missions underscored the universal nature of space exploration, transcending geopolitical boundaries.

### Military and Political Affiliation
A member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union since 1972, Ryumin held the military rank of podpolkovnik. His career reflected the intersection of military, scientific, and political interests in the Soviet space program.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Ryumin's record-breaking missions and awards symbolized Soviet technological prowess during the Space Race. His later role in U.S.-Russia cooperation post-1991 marked a new era of détente, cementing his status as a unifying figure in the global pursuit of space discovery.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. [Source](http://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=1136)
4. [Source](http://static.kremlin.ru/media/events/files/41d36902b3a8cbf794c5.pdf)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
7. Historical Encyclopedia of Siberia
8. [Скончался космонавт Валерий Рюмин](https://www.roscosmos.ru/37629/)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013