Sergei Krikalev: The Final Soviet Cosmonaut's Extraordinary Journey
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Chapter 1: The Return to Earth
On March 25, 1992, Sergei Krikalev descended from the cosmos a changed man. Weak and gaunt, he was likened to “pale flour and sweaty, like a lump of wet dough” by journalists. The insignia of the Soviet Union, a nation that had ceased to exist, adorned his suit. Leningrad, his birthplace, had transformed back into St. Petersburg, its historic name restored.
Having spent a staggering 311 days in orbit—a record at that time—Krikalev had not set out to achieve this milestone. Instead, he was a casualty of larger geopolitical upheavals unfolding on Earth below.
Section 1.1: The Mir Space Station
Krikalev's contributions to space exploration were significant, yet he never quite attained the recognition of earlier pioneers like Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space in 1961, or the Soviet Union's achievement of launching the first satellite in 1957. By the time Krikalev embarked on his journey, NASA had taken the lead in space exploration, and collaborations between the U.S. and USSR had already begun.
The Mir Space Station, which Krikalev inhabited for his extended stay, symbolized groundbreaking engineering. Constructed from 1986 to 1996, it was the first long-term, continuously inhabited space station until the International Space Station (ISS) surpassed it in 2010.
Section 1.2: The Mission Begins
Krikalev served as a flight engineer, a role akin to a co-pilot, crucial during both launch and in-space operations. His inaugural mission aboard Soyuz TMA-7 lasted 151 days, a remarkable accomplishment for which he was well-prepared. Following this, he launched on May 19, 1991, for the Soyuz TM-12 mission, alongside Commander Artsebarsky and the first British astronaut, Helen Sherman.
Sherman’s brief stay lasted only one week, while Krikalev and Artsebarsky remained on Mir, conducting experiments and six spacewalks. As the summer of 1991 approached, political and economic turmoil began to unravel the fabric of the Soviet Union.
Chapter 2: The Dissolution of a Nation
The complexities surrounding the Soviet Union's collapse were profound, marked by revolts and economic crises, leading to the fragmentation of its republics. This upheaval severely impacted the space program, redirecting funds away from missions.
Krikalev chose to extend his time on Mir, as Toktar Aubakirov, the engineer slated to replace him, was not adequately trained for long-term missions. Aubakirov was chosen, in part, to appease nationalist sentiments in Kazakhstan, which was experiencing significant unrest.
Despite the turmoil, Soyuz TM-13 launched, allowing Krikalev to remain aboard Mir. On October 10, 1991, Aubakirov and Austrian astronaut Franz Viehböck returned to Earth, leaving Krikalev and Commander Alexander Volkov behind for the duration of their mission.
Section 2.1: The Impact of Change
On December 26, 1991, while Krikalev and Volkov were still in orbit, the Soviet Union officially fragmented into 15 independent republics. The implications were dire: the men were now part of a space program that no longer existed. With the Baikonur Cosmodrome now in Kazakhstan, uncertainty loomed over their future.
Without a planned return, the situation became increasingly precarious. Krikalev had already spent nearly eight months in space, far exceeding his initial five-month expectation. Prolonged exposure to space's unique conditions posed serious health risks, including muscle atrophy and psychological issues.
Despite this, a lack of funding meant they could not return home. Krikalev's spirits were buoyed by weekly radio calls with his wife, Yellena, who worked for the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. They shared a nine-month-old daughter, and Yellena endeavored to shield him from the escalating difficulties back home, where food shortages and rising prices were becoming alarming.
Krikalev's salary was a mere 600 rubles per month—equivalent to around $2.50 in 1992. He longed for honey, his favorite treat, but resources were so strained that he received only horseradish and lemons.
Section 2.2: A Commitment to the Mission
Remarkably, Krikalev did not abandon his post. A Raduga re-entry capsule was available on Mir, which could have facilitated an emergency return; however, this would have jeopardized the station itself—a sacrifice he was unwilling to make.
Finally, on March 25, 1992, after 311 days in space, Krikalev and Volkov returned to Earth, landing near Arkalykh in Kazakhstan. Their return marked a new chapter; however, nothing would be the same.
Krikalev’s position was filled by Germany’s Klaus-Dietrich Flade, with reports suggesting a $24 million fee for his spot aboard Mir. In a press conference shortly after landing, Krikalev remarked, “The change is not radical. I lived on the territory of Russia while the republics were united in the Soviet Union. Now I have returned to Russia, which is part of the Commonwealth of Independent States.”
Despite the challenges, Krikalev's spirit remained unbroken. He was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation and continued his illustrious career in space, completing four more missions, including being the first Russian aboard an American spacecraft and the ISS. Overall, he logged an impressive 803 days and 9 hours in space, undertaking eight spacewalks.
Today, Krikalev plays a vital role in Russia’s space program, leading manned missions at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Although the Mir station was decommissioned in 1999, he was part of efforts to salvage it. Ultimately, like the Soviet Union, Mir's fate was sealed, crashing into the South Pacific on March 23, 2001, while its most devoted cosmonaut observed from afar.
For another compelling tale of sacrifice in the name of science from Krikalev's hometown, explore the story of the scientists who starved amid abundance during World War II.
Chapter 3: The Leningrad Scientists' Sacrifice
“We shall go into the pyre, we shall burn, but we shall not retreat from our convictions.”