Vladimir Kovalyonok

Vladimir Kovalyonok was Colonel General of Aviation (1993). Twice Hero of the Soviet Union (1978, 1981). Hero of the GDR (1978). Hero of the MPR (1981). Pilot-cosmonaut of the USSR.

Vladimir Kovalyonok is one of the pioneers of space exploration. He made three flights into space: the first ─ in 1977, the second ─ in 1978, the third ─ in 1981. In total, he spent 216 days in space.

In July 1992, Vladimir Kovalyonok was appointed head of the Air Force Engineering Academy named after Professor Zhukovsky in Moscow, now it is the Military Aviation Technical University.