Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Zvezda training module

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ISS mock-up training modules at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Soyuz TMA module

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Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

The Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) is a facility responsible for the training of cosmonauts for space missions. It is located in Star City, Russia, near Moscow. The center is named after Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space.

History

The GCTC was established on January 11, 1960, as part of the Soviet space program. It was initially known as the Air Force Scientific Research Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine. The center was later renamed in honor of Yuri Gagarin after his historic flight on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1.

Facilities

The GCTC includes various facilities designed to simulate the conditions of space travel and to prepare cosmonauts for their missions. These facilities include:

• Centrifuges: Used to simulate the high G-forces experienced during launch and re-entry.
• Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory: A large pool used to simulate the microgravity environment of space.
• Spacecraft simulators: Replicas of spacecraft such as the Soyuz and the International Space Station (ISS) modules.
• Planetarium: Used for celestial navigation training.

Training Programs

The training programs at the GCTC are comprehensive and rigorous, covering various aspects of space travel, including:

• Physical training: To ensure cosmonauts are in peak physical condition.
• Technical training: To familiarize cosmonauts with the spacecraft systems and operations.
• Survival training: To prepare cosmonauts for emergency situations, such as landing in remote areas.
• Scientific training: To equip cosmonauts with the knowledge needed to conduct experiments in space.

Notable Cosmonauts Trained at GCTC

Many notable cosmonauts have undergone training at the GCTC, including:

• Yuri Gagarin
• Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.
• Alexei Leonov, the first person to conduct a spacewalk.
• Gherman Titov, the second human to orbit the Earth.

Related Pages

• Yuri Gagarin
• Star City, Russia
• Soyuz (spacecraft)
• International Space Station
• Vostok 1
• Valentina Tereshkova
• Alexei Leonov
• Gherman Titov