Aleksandr Ivanovich Laveykin spent 174 days, 3 hours, and 25 minutes orbiting the Earth during the Mir EO-2 expedition. Selected as a cosmonaut on December 1, 1978, his professional trajectory as an engineer and flight engineer was defined by the rigorous demands of the Soviet space program throughout the late twentieth century.
Academic and Professional Background
Born in Moscow in 1951, Laveykin pursued his technical education at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. This training prepared him for a specialized career as a flight engineer. He joined the ranks of the Soviet cosmonaut corps in the late 1970s, transitioning from traditional engineering roles into the highly selective field of human spaceflight, where he focused on the operational maintenance of orbital infrastructure.
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Laveykin’s primary spaceflight occurred in February 1987. He served as the flight engineer for the Mir EO-2 mission, launching and eventually returning to Earth aboard the Soyuz TM-2 spacecraft. His role was integral to the ongoing functions of the Mir space station. While the mission was originally scheduled to span the remainder of the year, his tenure was shortened due to health assessments conducted by ground control.
Mission Conclusion and Health Status
In July 1987, medical personnel identified minor heart irregularities, necessitating his withdrawal from the expedition. He was replaced by Aleksandr Pavlovich Aleksandrov, who assumed the flight engineer duties on the station until the mission concluded in December. Following his recovery and post-flight duties, Laveykin retired from his active status as a cosmonaut on March 28, 1994.
Awards and Recognition
His contributions to aerospace engineering and Soviet space exploration were formally acknowledged through several state honors. In 1987, he was named a Hero of the Soviet Union, a Hero of the Republic, and received the Order of Lenin. Later, his legacy was further recognized through the Badge of honor 'For Merit to the Taymyr' in 2005 and the Russian Federation Medal 'For Merit in Space Exploration' in 2011. He also holds the title of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Moscow
- Education: Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Selection Date: 1 December 1978
- Spaceflight Duration: 174 days, 3 hours, 25 minutes
- Spacecraft: Soyuz TM-2
- Retirement Date: 28 March 1994
- Primary Awards: Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of Lenin
Questions readers ask
Why did Laveykin leave the Mir mission early?
Ground medical teams identified minor heart irregularities in July 1987, leading to his replacement by Aleksandr Pavlovich Aleksandrov.
What was his role on the Soyuz TM-2 flight?
He served as the flight engineer during the initial stage of the long-duration Mir EO-2 expedition.
Achievements
- Educated at Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Worked as engineer, astronaut and flight engineer
