Russia Trip

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Ukrain and Russia Trip

Star City is the Russian Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow. American and other astronauts also train here.

Approaching Star City - The Russian Space Agency's cosmonaut training center. Approaching Star City - The Russian Space Agency's cosmonaut training center.	Vending area outside of Star City entrance. Vending area outside of Star City entrance.	Statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first person to orbit the earth. Statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first person to orbit the earth.	The MIR space station. Well, this is an exact duplicate of the one that was in space, used for training and testing. The MIR space station. Well, this is an exact duplicate of the one that was in space, used for training and testing.	Fully assembled, MIR has multiple modules sticking out from the central spine on the right. One of those modules is visible in the distance to the left. Fully assembled, MIR has multiple modules sticking out from the central spine on the right. One of those modules is visible in the distance to the left.
	Central coupling unit for attached perpendicular modules Central coupling unit for attached perpendicular modules	Docking cone is visible on this end Docking cone is visible on this end	Closeup of docking cone. Once a spacecraft is docked, the cone is swung to the side inside of the station so people can pass through. Closeup of docking cone. Once a spacecraft is docked, the cone is swung to the side inside of the station so people can pass through.
The Russian word "Мир" means "peace" or "world." In English it is spelled "Mir" The Russian word "Мир" means "peace" or "world." In English it is spelled "Mir"	NASA photo of MIR taken from Space Shuttle Discovery June, 1998. American astronauts train regularly at Star City. NASA photo of MIR taken from Space Shuttle Discovery June, 1998. American astronauts train regularly at Star City.	We had a Q&A with this cosmonaut, Sergei Zalyotin We had a Q&A with this cosmonaut, Sergei Zalyotin	Cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin was part of the last resident crew of MIR, visited the international space station, and once took a 5 hour walk in space Cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin was part of the last resident crew of MIR, visited the international space station, and once took a 5 hour walk in space	Soyuz-MIR docking probe on test cone. Pod to the right latches into MIR docking drogue (cone) and pulls spacecraft in for hard dock, then probe disconnects and swings to the side. Soyuz-MIR docking probe on test cone. Pod to the right latches into MIR docking drogue (cone) and pulls spacecraft in for hard dock, then probe disconnects and swings to the side.
A Soyuz spacecraft cabin. This is just the part people ride in, and does not include the engines and other equipment. A Soyuz spacecraft cabin. This is just the part people ride in, and does not include the engines and other equipment.	Soyuz spacecraft seat. Soyuz spacecraft seat.	Another view of the Soyuz seat. This is a cramped ride. Another view of the Soyuz seat. This is a cramped ride.	Space toilet components. Space toilet components.	The part of the space toilet you would physically use. The part of the space toilet you would physically use.
The business end of the world's largest centrifuge, TsF-18 at Star City. The business end of the world's largest centrifuge, TsF-18 at Star City.	Wide view of TsF-18 centrifuge. This thing can develop 10 gravities. Wide view of TsF-18 centrifuge. This thing can develop 10 gravities.	Another look at the end where the trainees ride. The cabin can swivel to any orientation while the centrifuge spins. The ultimate thrill ride/torture device. Another look at the end where the trainees ride. The cabin can swivel to any orientation while the centrifuge spins. The ultimate thrill ride/torture device.		Star City Hydrolab. This is a neutral buoyancy tank with a water depth of 12 meters and diameter of 23 meters. Star City Hydrolab. This is a neutral buoyancy tank with a water depth of 12 meters and diameter of 23 meters.
Cosmonauts and Astronauts train in the tank for weighless space walks using mockups like this of parts of the international space station. Cosmonauts and Astronauts train in the tank for weighless space walks using mockups like this of parts of the international space station.