Editing Valeri Polyakov

{{Short description|Soviet and Russian cosmonaut, record holder for longest single stay in space (1942–2022)}}
{{family name hatnote|Vladimirovich|Polyakov|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox astronaut
| name        = Valeri Polyakov
| native_name = {{lang|ru|Валерий Поляков}}
| image       = Valery Polyakov.jpg
| type        = [[Roscosmos cosmonaut]]
| status      = 
| nationality = <!--Deprecated per MOS:INFONAT-->
| birth_name  = Valeri Ivanovich Korshunov
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1942|4|27}}
| birth_place = [[Tula, Russia|Tula]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2022|9|7|1942|4|27|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Moscow]], Russia
| occupation  = [[Physician]]
| selection   = [[List of astronauts by year of selection#1972|Medical Group 3 (1972)]]
| time        = 679&nbsp;days, 16&nbsp;hours, 33&nbsp;minutes, 18&nbsp;seconds
| mission     = {{Ubli
  | [[Soyuz TM-6]]/[[Soyuz TM-7|TM-7]] ([[Mir&nbsp;EO-3]]/[[Mir EO-4|4]])
  | [[Soyuz TM-18]]/[[Soyuz TM-20|TM-20]] ([[Mir EO-15]]/[[Mir EO-16|16]]/[[Mir EO-17|17]])
  }}
| insignia    = [[File:Soyuz TM-6 patch.svg|35px]] [[File:Soyuz TM-7 patch.png|35px]] [[File:Soyuz TM-18 patch.png|50px]] [[File:Soyuz TM-20 patch.png|35px]]
| awards      = ''[[#Honours and awards|See below]]''
}}

'''Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov''' ({{langx|ru|Валерий Владимирович Поляков}}, {{IPA|ru|vɐˈlʲerʲɪj vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ pəlʲɪˈkof|IPA}}; born '''Valeri Ivanovich Korshunov''' [{{lang|ru|Валерий Иванович Коршунов}}]; 27 April 1942 – 7 September 2022) was a Soviet and Russian [[cosmonaut]]. He is the record holder for the [[Timeline of longest spaceflights|longest single stay in space]], staying aboard the [[Mir|Mir space station]] for more than 14&nbsp;months (437&nbsp;days, 18&nbsp;hours) during one trip.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|last=Schwirtz|first=Michael|title=Staying Put on Earth, Taking a Step to Mars|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/science/space/31mars.html|access-date=15 May 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 March 2009|archive-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707011946/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/science/space/31mars.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His combined space experience was more than 22&nbsp;months.<ref name=nmmuseum>{{cite web|title=Valeri Vladimirovich Polyakov|url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=132|publisher=New Mexico Museum of Space History|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424135805/http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=132|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Selected as a cosmonaut in 1972, Polyakov made his first flight into space aboard [[Soyuz TM-6]] in 1988. He returned to Earth 240 days later aboard [[Soyuz TM-7|TM-7]]. Polyakov completed his second flight into space in 1994–1995, spending 437 days in space between launching on [[Soyuz TM-18]] and landing with [[Soyuz TM-20|TM-20]], setting the record for the longest time continuously spent in space by an individual.<ref name=nmmuseum/>

== Early life ==
Polyakov was born in [[Tula, Russia|Tula]] in the USSR on 27 April 1942. Born Valeri Ivanovich Korshunov, Polyakov legally changed his name after being adopted by his stepfather in 1957. He was educated at the Tula Secondary School No. 4, from which he graduated in 1959.<ref name=nmmuseum/>

He enrolled in the [[First Moscow State Medical University|I. M. Sechenov 1st Moscow Medical Institute]], where he graduated with a doctoral degree. Afterwards, he enrolled in the [[Institute of Biomedical Problems|Institute of Medical and Biological Problems]], Ministry of Public Health, [[Moscow]], where he specialized in [[Aerospace medicine|astronautics medicine]]. Polyakov dedicated himself to the field of space medicine in 1964 after the flight of the first physician in space, [[Boris Yegorov]], aboard [[Voskhod 1]].<ref name=nmmuseum/>

== Cosmonaut career ==
[[File:Cosmonaut Polyakov Watches Discovery's Rendezvous With Mir - GPN-2002-000078.jpg|thumb|right|Polyakov observes rendezvous operations with the [[Space Shuttle Discovery|Space Shuttle ''Discovery'']] on its [[STS-63]] mission through a window on the [[Mir Core Module]] in February 1995.]]

Polyakov was selected as a cosmonaut in [[List of astronauts by year of selection#1972|Medical Group 3]] on 22 March 1972. His first flight into space occurred on [[Soyuz TM-6]] in 1988. After staying aboard the Mir space station and conducting research for 240 days, Polyakov returned to Earth aboard [[Soyuz TM-7]]. His first words upon return were "We can fly to Mars."<ref name=nmmuseum/><ref name=rocketstem>{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Loretta|title=SETTING THE RECORD: FOURTEEN MONTHS ABOARD MIR WAS DREAM MISSION FOR POLYAKOV|url=https://www.rocketstem.org/2015/02/09/russian-cosmonaut-valeri-polyakov-spent-record-breaking-14-months-aboard-mir-space-station-in-1990s/|newspaper=rocketstem.org|date=9 February 2015}}</ref>

Polyakov's second spaceflight, the longest human spaceflight in history, began on 8 January 1994 with the launch of the [[Soyuz TM-18]] mission. He spent approximately 437 days aboard Mir, conducting experiments and performing scientific research. During this flight, he completed just over 7,000 orbits of the Earth. On 9 January 1995, after 366 days in space, Polyakov formally broke the spaceflight duration record previously set by [[Vladimir Titov (cosmonaut)|Vladimir Titov]] and [[Musa Manarov]] six years earlier.<ref name=leavingearth>{{cite book|last=Zimmerman|first=Robert|title=Leaving earth: space stations, rival superpowers, and the quest for interplanetary travel|year=2003|publisher=Joseph Henry Press|location=Washington, DC|isbn=978-0-309-08548-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/leavingearth00robe/page/366 366]–372|url=https://archive.org/details/leavingearth00robe|url-access=registration|quote=valeri polyakov.}}</ref> He returned to Earth aboard [[Soyuz TM-20]] on 22 March 1995.<ref name=nmmuseum/> Upon landing, Polyakov opted not to be carried the few feet between the [[Soyuz-TM|Soyuz capsule]] and a nearby lawn chair, instead walking the short distance. In doing so, he wished to prove that humans could be physically capable of working on the surface of [[Mars]] after a long-duration transit phase.<ref name=wired>{{cite news|last=Madrigal|first=Alexis|title=March 22, 1995: Longest Human Space Adventure Ends|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/03/0322cosmonaut-space-record/|access-date=23 June 2016|newspaper=Wired.com|date=22 March 2010|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611175330/http://www.wired.com/2010/03/0322cosmonaut-space-record|url-status=live}}</ref>

Polyakov volunteered for his 437-day flight to learn how the human body would respond to the [[Micro-g environment|micro-gravity]] environment on long-duration missions to Mars.<ref name=wired/> Upon returning from his second spaceflight, Polyakov held the record for the most total time in space. Data from Polyakov's flight has been used by researchers to determine that humans are able to maintain a healthy mental state during long-duration spaceflight just as they would on Earth.<ref name="journal">{{cite journal|last1=Manzey|first1=Dietrich |last2=Lorenz|first2=Bernd |last3=Poljakov|first3=Valeri |title=Mental performance in extreme environments: results from a performance monitoring study during a 438-day spaceflight|journal=Ergonomics|date=1 April 1998|volume=41|issue=4|pages=537–559|doi=10.1080/001401398186991|pmid=9557591}}</ref>

Polyakov underwent medical assessments before, during, and after the flight. He also underwent two follow-up examinations six months after returning to Earth. When researchers compared the results of these medical exams, it was revealed that although there were no impairments of [[Jungian cognitive functions|cognitive functions]], Polyakov experienced a clear decline in mood as well as a feeling of increased workload during the first few weeks of spaceflight and return to Earth.<ref name="journal"/><ref name=sy>{{cite web|title=March 22nd, 1995 – 15th Anniversary of Valeri Polyakov's return to Earth|url=http://spaceyuga.com/march-22nd-1995-15th-anniversary-valeri-polyakovs-return-earth/|publisher=Space Yuga|access-date=2 June 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827170518/http://spaceyuga.com/march-22nd-1995-15th-anniversary-valeri-polyakovs-return-earth/|archive-date=27 August 2011}}</ref> Polyakov's mood stabilized to pre-flight levels between the second and fourteenth month of his mission. It was also revealed that Polyakov did not suffer from any prolonged performance impairments after returning to Earth. In light of these findings, researchers concluded that a stable mood and overall function could be maintained during extended duration spaceflights, such as [[Human mission to Mars|crewed missions to Mars]].<ref name="journal"/>

=== Spaceflights ===
* [[Soyuz TM-6]] / [[Soyuz TM-7]] – 28 August 1988, 04:23:11 UTC<ref name="gcat-r7">{{cite web |last1=McDowell |first1=Jonathan C. |title=Launch List: R-7 |url=https://www.planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/R-7.html |website=General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609005320/https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/R-7.html |archive-date=9 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> to 27 April 1989, 02:57:58 UTC<ref name="esa-aragatz">{{cite web |title=Aragatz |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Aragatz |publisher=[[ESA]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017092015/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Aragatz |archive-date=17 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> – 241 days, 22 hours, 34 minutes and 47 seconds
* [[Soyuz TM-18]] / [[Soyuz TM-20]] – 8 January 1994, 10:05:34 UTC<ref name="gcat-r7" /> to 22 March 1995, 04:04:05 UTC<ref name="esa-euromir94">{{cite web |title=EUROMIR 94 |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/EUROMIR_94 |publisher=[[ESA]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415154006/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/EUROMIR_94 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> – 437 days, 17 hours, 58 minutes and 31 seconds

== Later life ==
Polyakov retired from his position as a cosmonaut in June 1995, with a total of just over 678 days in space.<ref name=nmmuseum/><ref name=astronautix>{{cite web|title=Polyakov |url=http://www.astronautix.com/astros/polyakov.htm |publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica |access-date=27 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302031757/http://www.astronautix.com/astros/polyakov.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 }}</ref> He participated in experiment SFINCSS-99 (Simulation of Flight of International Crew on Space Station) in 1999.<ref>{{cite book|title=Валерий Владимирович Поляков|year=2011|url=http://www.astronaut.ru/crossroad/210.htm|access-date=8 August 2011|archive-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183214/http://www.astronaut.ru/crossroad/210.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Polyakov was the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Health in Moscow, where he oversaw the medical aspects of long-duration space missions.<ref name=nmmuseum/> He was a member of the Russian Chief Medical Commission, participating in the qualification and selection of cosmonauts. He also held membership in the International Space Researchers' Association and the [[International Academy of Astronautics]].<ref name=nmmuseum/><ref name=iaa>{{cite web|title=Membership List|url=http://www.iaaweb.org/iaa/Membership/membershiplist.pdf|publisher=International Academy of Astronautics|access-date=19 July 2011|archive-date=28 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428084212/https://iaaweb.org/iaa/Membership/membershiplist.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Polyakov was married and had one child.<ref name=astronautix/>

After returning from space, Polyakov remained active in the discipline of international spaceflight, becoming a "cosmonaut-investigator" for the United States, Austria, Germany, and France during their respective space science missions to the Mir space station.<ref name=nmmuseum/> He died on 7 September 2022 at the age of 80.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=1126|title= ПОЛЯКОВ Валерий Владимирович|accessdate=22 September 2022|language=ru}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Polyakov won several awards for his spaceflight and academic achievements, including the [[Hero of the Soviet Union]], [[Hero of the Russian Federation]], [[Order of Lenin]], [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]], and the [[Order of Parasat]]. He was a member of organizations related to [[astronautics]], including the Russian Chief Medical Commission on cosmonauts' certification.<ref name=nmmuseum/>

Polyakov held the title of "Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR" and published several works pertaining to [[life sciences]], medical aspects of space missions, and the results of research conducted on long-duration spaceflights.<ref name=nmmuseum/>

Polyakov's record for longest cumulative time in space of 678 days over two missions stood until surpassed in 1999 by cosmonaut [[Sergei Avdeyev]] with a total of 747 days in space during three different missions.<ref name=nmmuseum/><ref name=mirnasa>{{cite web|title=Mir Space Station |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4225/mir/mir.htm|publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-date=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726030951/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4225/mir/mir.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Honours and awards==
* [[Hero of the Russian Federation]]<ref name=hero>{{cite web
  | script-title = ru:Поляков Валерий Владимирович
  | publisher = Warheroes.ru
  | url = http://warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=871
  | access-date = 23 March 2021
| language = ru
  | archive-date = 8 March 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308073127/http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=871
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>
* [[Hero of the Soviet Union]]<ref name=hero/>
* [[Hero of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan]]<ref name="Симонов А">{{cite web|author=[[:ru:Симонов, Андрей Анатольевич|Симонов А.]]|url=http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=871|title=Поляков Валерий Владимирович|publisher=[[Герои страны]]|date=|accessdate=14 October 2019|archive-date=26 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226041300/http://warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=871|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Officer of the [[Legion of Honour]] (France)<ref name=nmmuseum/>
* [[Order of Lenin]]<ref name=nmmuseum/>
* [[Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR]]<ref name=nmmuseum/>
* Prince of Asturias Award (now renamed [[Princess of Asturias Awards]], Spain)<ref>{{cite web |title=1999 PRINCE OF ASTURIAS AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION |url=https://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/1999-pedro-duque-john-glenn-chiaki-mukai-and-valery-polyakov.html?especifica=0 |publisher=The Princess of Asturias Foundation |access-date=23 March 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619022956/https://www.fpa.es/en/princess-of-asturias-awards/laureates/1999-pedro-duque-john-glenn-chiaki-mukai-and-valery-polyakov.html?especifica=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Order of Parasat]] (Kazakhstan)<ref name=nmmuseum/>
* Order of The Saur Revolution (Afghanistan)<ref name="Симонов А"/>
* Order of the Sun of Freedom (Afghanistan)<ref name="Симонов А"/>

==See also==
*[[List of Heroes of the Russian Federation]]
*[[Human spaceflight]]
*[[List of spaceflight records]]
{{Portal|Biography|Russia|Spaceflight}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/cosmonauts/english/polyakov_valeri.htm Spacefacts biography]

{{Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polyakov, Valeri}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Heroes of the Russian Federation]]
[[Category:Heroes of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University alumni]]
[[Category:Mir crew members]]
[[Category:Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:People from Tula, Russia]]
[[Category:Physician astronauts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Lenin]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Parasat]]
[[Category:Burials at Vagankovo Cemetery]]
[[Category:Russian cosmonauts]]
[[Category:Soviet cosmonauts]]
[[Category:Soviet physicians]]
[[Category:Space medicine doctors]]