SpaceX Crew-8 carried Alexander Grebenkin to the International Space Station on March 4, 2024, marking a shift in his career from Russian military aviation to international orbital operations. Born in 1982 in Myski, he has since evolved from an air force technician into a qualified test cosmonaut recognized for his technical expertise in flight systems.
Military and Technical Background
Grebenkin completed his initial technical training at the Irkutsk Military Aerospace Engineering Institute, graduating in June 2002 with a diploma in transport radio-electronics. He subsequently served at the Kubinka airbase near Moscow for over sixteen years. In 2011, he obtained an engineering degree from the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics. During his military tenure, he managed aircraft readiness, specifically supporting the avionics systems for the Swifts aerobatic team. By 2011, he reached the rank of major while leading technical units at the 237th I.N. Kozhedub Aviation Equipment Display Center.
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In 2017, Grebenkin applied to the Yuri Gagarin Scientific Research Institute of Cosmonauts, receiving official candidate status in August 2018. His foundational training included rigorous survival exercises in varied environments, ranging from winter forests to desert terrain. He mastered aquatic emergency procedures at the Noginsk Rescue Center and the Imeretinsky facility in Sochi, eventually earning a diver qualification in 2019. After completing the general space training course, he passed his state examination in November 2020 and received the official qualification of test cosmonaut the following month.
Expedition Operations
By 2022, Grebenkin was appointed flight engineer for Expedition 71. His preparation included integrated sessions with international partners and practice for water landings. After serving as a stand-in for the SpaceX Crew-7 mission, he secured a seat on the SpaceX Crew-8 flight. Following a medical clearance in July 2023, he launched in early 2024 to serve an eight-month tenure as a flight engineer on the International Space Station, spanning Expeditions 70, 71, and 72.
Fast facts
- Born: 1982, Myski, Russia
- Military Rank: Major
- Education: Irkutsk Military Aerospace Engineering Institute
- Spacecraft: Crew Dragon (SpaceX Crew-8)
- Qualification: Test cosmonaut
- Award: Hero of the Russian Federation (2024)
- Award: Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation
Questions readers ask
What is Alexander Grebenkin's background before becoming a cosmonaut?
He served as a military flight engineer and held various technical positions in the Russian Air Force, including roles at the Kubinka airbase and the 237th I.N. Kozhedub Aviation Equipment Display Center.
Which space missions did he participate in?
He was a crew member of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, which launched on March 4, 2024, to the International Space Station.
Achievements
- medal for distinguished military service
- Hero of the Russian Federation
- Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation
- Recorded as test cosmonaut, military flight engineer and astronaut
