Oleg Skripochka spent 159 days in space during the Expedition 25 and 26 missions, executing a series of complex maintenance tasks and research objectives. His career as a flight engineer and cosmonaut for the Roscosmos State Corporation bridges the transition from traditional rocket construction engineering into the long-duration operational requirements of the International Space Station.
Early Education and Engineering Foundation
Born in 1969 in Nevinnomyssk, Skripochka moved through several regions of the Soviet Union during his youth, living in the North Caucasus, the Russian Far East, and Soviet Ukraine. After completing his secondary education in Zaporizhia in 1987, he moved to Moscow to study at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. He graduated in 1993 with a diploma in rocket construction. Prior to this, he gained hands-on technical experience working as a test-metal worker and technician within the Energia scientific-industrial project bureau.
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From 1993 until 1997, Skripochka served as an engineer at Energia, focusing on the development of transport and cargo vehicles. His selection as a test cosmonaut in 1997 shifted his career toward flight operations. He completed advanced space training between 1998 and 1999 and served as a backup crewmember for Expedition 17. By 2008, he had commenced specific training for the Soyuz TMA-M and the Expedition 25/26 flight sequences.
Expedition 25/26 Missions
The Expedition 25/26 crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 7 October 2010 aboard the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft. Upon docking with the ISS, Skripochka participated in diverse research initiatives, including biometric studies, fundamental physics, and investigations into crystal growth. He returned to Earth on 16 March 2011, landing in northern Kazakhstan near Arkalyk under challenging, sub-zero weather conditions.
Extravehicular Activity Record
During his stay on the ISS, Skripochka performed three spacewalks. In November 2010, he conducted Russian EVA #26 to remove scientific payloads and install workstation hardware on the Zvezda module. In January 2011, he undertook Russian EVA #27 to deploy a high-speed data transmission antenna, while a third excursion in February 2011 involved the installation of the Molniya-Gamma experiment and the deployment of a nanosatellite.
Fast facts
- Born: 1969, Nevinnomyssk
- Education: Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Space Mission Duration: 159 days
- Total Spacewalks: 3
- Awards: Hero of the Russian Federation (2011)
- Awards: Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation (2011)
- Awards: Order For Merit to the Fatherland, 4th class (2017)
- Employer: Roscosmos State Corporation
Questions readers ask
What was Skripochka's role during his first space mission?
He served as a flight engineer for the ISS Expedition 25/26 crew.
What kind of experiments did he conduct during his spacewalks?
He worked on experiments including the remote control of robotic arms, the exposure of organic materials to space, and plasma flow research.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Roscosmos State Corporation
- Educated at Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Worked as astronaut, engineer and flight engineer
