A total of 371.95 days in orbit defined the career of Aleksandr Serebrov, a scientist and engineer who transitioned from Soviet-era aerospace research to the Russian space program. Beyond his technical contributions to station architecture, he is noted for conducting ten spacewalks and achieving the first instance of video game play aboard a spacecraft.
Academic and Professional Foundation
Born in Moscow in 1944, Serebrov completed his education at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 1967, where he earned a Candidate of Technical Sciences degree. His career integrated several disciplines, including roles as an aircraft pilot, military flight engineer, and aerospace scientist. These roles provided the technical background necessary for his selection as a cosmonaut on 1 December 1978.
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Serebrov played a critical role in the engineering of multiple orbital laboratories. He contributed to the design of the Salyut 6 and Salyut 7 stations, as well as the Mir space station. His active flight career involved four missions: Soyuz T-7, Soyuz T-8, Soyuz TM-8, and Soyuz TM-17. During these missions, he tested the Icarus, a one-person transport vehicle intended for satellite repair and emergency crew rescue. This device was evaluated in orbit in February 1990.
Technological Milestones and Retirement
Before his retirement on 10 May 1995, Serebrov achieved a notable record by performing ten spacewalks, a benchmark that stood until it was surpassed by Anatoly Solovyev. His time in space included a historic moment when he operated a Game Boy to play Tetris, marking the first time a video game was used in a microgravity environment. Serebrov died in Moscow on 12 November 2013 and was interred at the Ostankino Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1944, Moscow
- Died: 12 November 2013, Moscow
- Education: Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Total days in space: 371.95
- Spacecraft flown: Soyuz T-7, T-8, TM-8, TM-17
- Number of spacewalks: 10
- Notable awards: Hero of the Soviet Union, Officer of the Legion of Honour
Questions readers ask
What record did Aleksandr Serebrov hold regarding spacewalks?
He completed ten spacewalks during his career, a record that remained until it was surpassed by Anatoly Solovyev.
Which video game was played for the first time in space by Serebrov?
Serebrov played Tetris on a Game Boy while aboard the spacecraft.
Achievements
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Affiliated with Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Educated at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Worked as astronaut, military flight engineer and aircraft pilot
