Planet Earth is a grain of sand compared to the immeasurable power of the Universe. Innumerable star clusters, mysterious planets, dangerous black holes are the permanent inhabitants of the world, the conditions of which are disastrous for earthlings. The cosmos and everything connected with it have attracted and excited inquisitive minds for many centuries. Extensive knowledge about this vast and absolutely alien world has become the result of research and scientific research. Of course, developments in this direction are ongoing, since you can study the laws of space forever. People who have devoted their lives to such work, of course, deserve respect. These are astronomers, cosmologists, astrophysicists and astronauts.
Moscow childhood
Lebedev Valentin Vitalievich - Soviet pilot-cosmonaut, candidate of sciences, professor and master of sports. This man faithfully served the worthy cause of scientific research in space, therefore he firmly entered the history of world astronautics. In the world register, he was assigned No. 70, and according to the Soviet census - No. 29. Valentin Lebedev during his career made two flights beyond the Earth and once for quite a long time (more than two hours) went into outer space.
The future was borncosmonaut in the city of Moscow. His date of birth is known: April 14, 1942. I was brought up in an ordinary family. His mother, Antonina Fedorovna, worked as an accountant, and his father, Vitaly Vladimirovich, chose a military career. Probably, the boy's decision to choose this courageous profession was influenced by the genes of his father. Valentin Lebedev studied at the Naro-Fominsk Secondary School No. 4, from which he graduated in 1959. At this time, the young man decided on the vector of movement and life priorities, deciding to choose the path of a pilot.
Long Road to Space: Beginning
The Orenburg Aviation School is the conscious choice of the future cosmonaut. Studying there allowed the guy to establish himself in the thought of the correctness of the chosen path. Unfortunately, in those days there was a reorganization and reduction of the Armed Forces of the USSR, so frequent changes took place in this area. In the end, the aviation school where Lebedev studied was disbanded. Valentin decided not to change his dream and entered the Moscow Aviation Institute at the faculty of aircraft. But the young man did not limit himself to studies, but at the same time began to master the difficult task of controlling aircraft. He flew on such devices as the Yak-18, Il-29, got acquainted with the MI-1 helicopter. Moreover, he began work with the development of gliders (KAI-12). Thus, Valentin Lebedev felt power over metal aircraft, subordinating them to himself.
Work at the Central Design Bureau
While still studying at the Moscow Aviation Institute named after S. Ordzhonikidze, the guy applied for admission to the cosmonaut corps. And in 1963received a recommendation from the institute's party cell. Now it sounds surprising, but in Soviet times, without such support, it was impossible to get admission to work in serious organizations. After graduating from the institute, Valentin Lebedev obtained a work permit at the Central Design Bureau. This organization was then headed by the legendary S. P. Korolev. Later, in 1979, the institution was renamed and became known as NPO Energia. In this organization, Valentin Lebedev, whose biography was making its decisive turn, went from an ordinary engineer to a senior researcher.
In 1967, the scientist participated in expeditions in the Indian Ocean, organized to search for unmanned spacecraft "Zond" used to fly to the moon. The following year, again in India, the engineer led a team of specialists who serviced Zond-5, a space station that flew around the moon and provided earthlings with high-quality images of our satellite for the first time.
Lebedev Valentin Anatolyevich increasingly connected his activities with space and developments in this area. This is evidenced by further milestones in his biography:
- Improved the development of means of rescuing space crews when landing on water and land.
- Participated in flight design tests of such ships as Progress, Soyuz, Salyut orbital stations (from fourth to sixth).
- He worked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome as the head of the operational and technical group.
- Beeninstructor-methodologist at the Cosmonaut Training Center, where he prepared the crews of the Soyuz spacecraft (4-9) for the flight.
- Developed documentation on manual docking and rendezvous techniques, as well as spacecraft and orbital station control.
Preparing for flight
Having gained the necessary experience, being engaged in such diverse activities, Valentin Lebedev came close to his goal. In 1969, the outstanding engineer was admitted to special training. He was issued by the Main Medical Board after a thorough and comprehensive examination of the future cosmonaut. This took place within the walls of a respected organization called the Institute of Biomedical Problems. In connection with this significant event in Lebedev's life, he had to interrupt his studies at the test pilot school. During his studies, he managed to master the piloting of the MiG-15 and MiG-21 fighters.
After intensive training for space flight (so far as an understudy), Valentin Vitalievich showed such excellent results that he was implicitly enrolled in the main crew.
Lebedev's first space trip
The start of the flight took place in 1973, in the winter (December 18). Valentin Lebedev was on the Soyuz-13 crew as a flight engineer. His call sign is Kavkaz-2. The flight was short - about 7 days, but was of great scientific importance. The fact is that the spacecraft was equipped with a new system of telescopes of the Orion-2 brand, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the latest equipment and professional engineersthe most important astrophysical observations of the ultraviolet spectrum in vacuum conditions began.
Two years after the end of his first flight, Lebedev defended his thesis on the training of crews using a training stand and methodological techniques that contribute to this. All this time, the cosmonaut continues to work in NPO Energia. PhD thesis, brilliantly defended by him, offered a fundamentally new, improved look at training before going into space. The most important was the maximum realism of the conditions for their conduct: starry space, nuances of rendezvous, docking, space routes.
Flight engineer with the call sign "Elbrus-2"
Lebedev's second flight, which took place in 1982 on a space complex called Soyuz-T-5 (besides it, it included such ships as the Progress cargo ship and the Salyut-7 orbital station), entered the Guinness Book of Records for the duration of stay in space (more than 211 days).
The flight went down in history not only in terms of duration, but also because during this time Lebedev carried out many experiments and implemented an extensive research program. It is interesting that the flight engineer spent this flight without parting with the call sign "Elbrus-2". During the flight, Lebedev went into outer space and stayed there for more than two hours. As a result, he was awarded the title of instructor-test-cosmonaut first class.
By the way, the Salyut-7 orbital station, which is part of the complex, is intended forscientific, medical and technological research in a vacuum, has become the latest model of this series.
Priceless scientific experiments
During two space trips, a talented flight engineer conducted about three hundred necessary experiments in various fields of science and technology. Many of them were unique. The composition of the atmosphere near the station was measured, the level of vibration inside the space complex was clarified, and methods for obtaining sterile biological samples were developed. And finally, for the first time in the history of astronautics, a plant called "arabidopsis" was grown on board a spacecraft, which has undergone a full developing cycle.
In addition, it was possible to develop a method for autonomous control of the Salyut-7 orbital station in order to detect tectonic-geological structures on our planet. Thus, a hint was given in which direction it is necessary to search for oil, polymetallic and gas deposits in the Altai region.
After the flights, Valentin Lebedev continued to work at the Design Bureau and engage in scientific activities. So, in 1985, the engineer defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic of methodological developments that facilitate the operation of orbital complexes and increase their efficiency. This work became revolutionary to a certain extent - in it, Valentin Vitalievich suggested optimizing the work of the crew, saving him from unnecessary routine, and also made adjustments to the location of the filming equipment.
Valentin Lebedev: diary of a cosmonaut
Besides scientific papers (193),which are still taken as a basis by students of many universities of a specific orientation, Valentin Vitalyevich wrote books. For example, "My measurement" and "Materials of scientific researches of the flight engineer". But these works were created using materials from the legendary Diary of an Astronaut. The uniqueness of the records is that they were not made for publication, but simply to pour out their feelings and experiences on paper. Ignoring the style, the cosmonaut described the days before the launch, during it, and also while on board the station. Noteworthy is the oath given by Lebedev to himself immediately before the flight. In it, he promised not to get excited, not to offend his partner, to be responsible for the decisions made and to give himself completely to work.
Of course, in the diary there is a place for the feelings that the astronaut experienced in relation to his family, mother. Between the lines there is a longing for relatives and the Earth. The records also include information about the physical complexity of adapting to extraterrestrial conditions: insomnia, nausea, persistent headaches. There were also unfavorable psychological moments - it was difficult to establish contact with a partner due to the accumulated tension.
"Diary of a Cosmonaut" for the first time opens the veil and shows the everyday life of these people, their thoughts and feelings. These recordings are very informative for those who are interested in activities in space.
Awards found a hero
Outstanding cosmonaut Valentin Vitalievich Lebedev made a significant contribution to space, astrophysical, navigation and geological research. This man sincerelywho devoted his life to science, could not help but receive numerous awards and distinctions. He did not seek to become a celebrity, but simply did his job with quality and soul. For example, even while on vacation, Valentin Vitalyevich could not be idle - together with his students, he went to help in the construction of the legendary BAM, for which he received another award - the medal "For the construction of BAM". In addition, the astronaut was awarded the following titles and distinctions:
- "Hero of the Soviet Union" (twice).
- Order IV degree "For Merit to the Fatherland".
- Order of Lenin (two awards).
- "For merit in space exploration" - medal.
- In France, the astronaut received the Order of the Legion of Honor.
- Honored Worker of Science of the Russian Federation.
Besides this, as already mentioned, his flight was listed in the Guinness Book of Records, a bust of a glorious flight engineer was installed on the Moscow Cosmonauts Alley, Valentin Vitalievich is an honorary citizen of many Russian cities, in particular Naro-Fominsk. And NASA made a proposal to make Lebedev an honorary citizen of Texas for his significant contribution to the development of astronautics. And finally, one of the minor planets is named after a talented scientist - this decision was made by the International Astronomical Union.
A little bit about personal life
As for the private life of Valentin Vitalievich Lebedev, everything is stable here - he has long been married to a beautiful woman who is close to him both in spirit and professionally(she is also an engineer). Lyudmila Vitalievna, the wife of the cosmonaut, is currently on a well-deserved rest in the status of a pensioner. The couple has a son born in 1972 - Vitaly Valentinovich. He works as a lawyer.
The Lebedevs have a grandson Demid and a granddaughter Anastasia. Valentin Vitalievich lives in Moscow with his family.
