Mikhail Tyurin logged 188 days in space during his final mission as commander of the Soyuz TMA-11M in 2014, contributing to a career that spanned three long-duration visits to the International Space Station. A trained engineer, he focused on the dynamics and ballistics of spacecraft motion before being selected for cosmonaut training in 1994.
Engineering and Training
Born in 1960 in Kolomna, Tyurin attended the Moscow Aviation Institute, graduating in 1984. He focused his academic work on creating mathematical models for mechanical flight. Following his studies, he joined the Energia corporation, where he specialized in software development and the psychological training required for cosmonauts to maintain manual control of spacecraft.
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Tyurin first traveled to the International Space Station during Expedition 3 in 2001, launching aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. He returned for a 215-day stint as a flight engineer during Expedition 14 in 2006, arriving on the Soyuz TMA-9. His final orbital tour occurred in 2013 and 2014, where he commanded the Soyuz TMA-11M crew and participated in research regarding how the human cardiovascular and neurological systems adapt to zero-gravity environments.
Extravehicular Activity
Throughout his career, Tyurin performed five spacewalks. His initial excursions took place in 2001, where he and Vladimir Dezhurov outfitted the Pirs Docking Compartment, installed radio communication cables, and managed the deployment of the Strela cargo crane. He also performed maintenance by removing a rubber seal that obstructed the docking of a Progress resupply vehicle.
Awards and Recognition
In 2003, the President of the Russian Federation designated Tyurin a Hero of the Russian Federation and Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation. Additional honors include the Medal for Merit in Space Exploration, awarded in 2011, and the Alexey Leonov Medal, granted by the Kemerovo Region in 2015 for his completion of five spacewalks. He has also received the Order for Merit to the Fatherland in both its third and fourth degrees.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Kolomna
- Education: Moscow Aviation Institute
- Career: Cosmonaut and engineer
- Citizenship: Russia
- Languages: Russian
- Space missions: Three
- Spacewalks: Five
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of Tyurin's mission to the International Space Station in 2013?
He served as commander of the Soyuz TMA-11M and conducted research on the adaptation of the human cardiovascular and neurological systems to zero gravity.
What degree did Tyurin earn at the Moscow Aviation Institute?
He graduated with an engineering degree in 1984, specializing in the creation of mathematical models for mechanical flight.
Achievements
- Educated at Moscow Aviation Institute
- Worked as engineer and astronaut
