Soyuz TMA-14M carried Yelena Serova into orbit on 25 September 2014, marking her arrival at the International Space Station as part of Expedition 41/42. Selected as a test cosmonaut in 2006, she became the fourth female Russian cosmonaut to reach space, following a career as an engineer for RSC Energia and the Mission Control Center.
Engineering and Training
Yelena Olegovna Serova was born in 1976 in Vozdvizhenka. She moved to Germany as a child before settling in Moscow. Her academic path included graduation from the Aerospace Faculty of the Moscow Aviation Institute in 2001 and a second degree in economics from the Moscow State Academy of Instrument Engineering and Information in 2003. She joined the RKKE-14 cosmonaut group in October 2006, completing her foundational training at Star City in 2009.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Space Station Mission
Launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz FG rocket, Serova joined commander Aleksandr Samokutyayev and NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore. Although the spacecraft experienced a solar array deployment issue, it successfully docked with the International Space Station on 26 September 2014. During her 167 days in orbit, Serova conducted biophysics and medical experiments, eventually returning to Earth on 11 March 2015.
Political Career
Upon retiring from the cosmonaut corps in 2016, Serova transitioned to a political career. She served as a member of the 7th State Duma of the Russian Federation until 2021, representing the United Russia party. During her tenure, she participated in legislative discussions, including a 2017 meeting regarding animal protection legislation. She also addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Vozdvizhenka
- Selected as test cosmonaut: 2006
- Space mission: Expedition 41/42
- Time in space: 167 days
- State Duma service: 2016-2021
- Awards: Hero of the Russian Federation
- Awards: Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation (2016)
Questions readers ask
Which missions did Yelena Serova fly?
She flew one long-duration mission to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 41/42, launching in 2014 and returning in 2015.
What was her role in the Russian government?
She served as a deputy in the 7th State Duma of the Russian Federation between 2016 and 2021.
Achievements
- Educated at Moscow Aviation Institute
- Worked as explorer, astronaut and politician
