Vladimir Kovalyonok served as the commander for three distinct missions to the Salyut 6 space station, establishing a new long-endurance record of 139 days in orbit during the EO-2 mission. Born in 1942 at Bielaje, he pursued a career as an aircraft pilot and astronaut within the Soviet space programme, eventually attaining the rank of Air Force colonel general.
Military Education and Training
Kovalyonok began his formal aviation training at the Balashov Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots between 1959 and 1963. He continued his professional development at the Gagarin Air Force Academy and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia. He also holds a candidate in military science degree. His early career as an aircraft pilot provided the foundation for his entry into the cosmonaut team on July 5, 1967.
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His tenure as a cosmonaut involved three missions, all directed toward the Salyut 6 space station. He served as the commander of Soyuz 25, which failed to achieve docking with the station. He subsequently commanded the Soyuz 29 and Soyuz 31 missions, alongside the Soyuz T-4 mission. Together with Aleksandr Ivanchenkov, he successfully completed the EO-2 mission. He officially retired from the cosmonaut corps on June 23, 1984.
Administrative and Political Roles
Following his active flight career, Kovalyonok transitioned into research and administrative management. He served as the Director of the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute under the Ministry of Defence of Russia between 1990 and 1992. His public service included a term as a member of the 12th convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR.
Decorations and Honours
His service was recognised with numerous accolades, including being named Hero of the Soviet Union twice in 1978 and 1981. He received the Order of Lenin three times and was awarded the Order of Military Merit in 2000. International honours include the Hero of the German Democratic Republic, the Order of Karl Marx, the Hero of the MPR, and the Order of Sukhbaatar. In 2011, he was awarded the Medal for Merit in Space Exploration.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Bielaje
- Military Rank: Air Force colonel general
- Cosmonaut Team Entry: 5 July 1967
- Cosmonaut Retirement: 23 June 1984
- Missions: Soyuz 25, Soyuz 29/31, Soyuz T-4
- Record: 139 days in space (EO-2 mission)
- Academic Degree: Candidate in military science
- Nationality: Soviet Union, Russia
Questions readers ask
Did Vladimir Kovalyonok serve on the Mir space station?
No, all his missions were directed at the Salyut 6 space station.
What record did Kovalyonok achieve during his spaceflight career?
He set a long-endurance record of 139 days in space while participating in the EO-2 mission.
Achievements
- Educated at Balashov Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, Gagarin Air Force Academy and Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia
- Worked as aircraft pilot, astronaut and military personnel
