tonyq
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Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 12, 2005 13:29:11 GMT -5
Valentina Ponomaryeva - Second back-up cosmoanut Vostok 6
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 12, 2005 13:36:31 GMT -5
Zhanna Yorkina - Completed cosmonaut training, but not assigned a role in Vostok 6 preparations
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 12, 2005 13:39:53 GMT -5
Alexei
Hope the above images are of interest - they are very rare - even the Tereshkova one is not one which is generally published.
I have lots more material on this subject, but I'm aware I've gone a bit off topic, so I'll only post more if you wish to see them.
I have that book you mentioned 'Russian Spacesuits'.
I agree it's actually a bit of a disappointment. Written too much like an academic study than for general interest.
Tony
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Post by Red Pilot on Apr 13, 2005 15:23:20 GMT -5
Tony,
Feel free to post on this topic. For one, I find it interesting and I doubt anyone will object either. Unfortunately I'm more of a by stander in this topic, then a contributer...
Btw, I've seen a lot of Russian space related books (including "picture albums") on Ebay lately. Maybe worth checking them out? I doubt they will have much of usefull information, but you might stumble on a pictures you need.
Cheers,
Alexei
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 13, 2005 17:48:24 GMT -5
Thanks Alexei
I will try to post information on this topic which is not generally available, over the next few days. I have written an article about the female cosmonaut group, which runs to about 10,000 words, which I hope to get published later this year. I will use extracts from this to put any photos in context.
I have bought quite a few Russian language books on e-bay over the last year or so, including one written by Tereshkova in 1964. There is some interesting material out there - just a case of finding it.
Tony
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 13, 2005 17:58:47 GMT -5
The evening before she became the first woman in space, Tereshkova and her back-ups were paraded in front of the Vostok 6 booster, and she had to make a speech to the assebled audience. In her 1964 account of the flight she wrote :- ".............. I have thanked the many experts taking part in the preparation of Vostok 6 and promised to apply all efforts to repay their trust in me. But it was one of my most difficult experiences, as I felt more worried than ever before in my life. I was presented with an armful of flowers, which I gave to the Chief Designer (Korolyev). A brass band played the anthem of the Soviet Union. The familiar melody never usually sounded so solemn to me, as this time it played before a rocket aimed at the sky. While listening to the sounds of majestic music I listened to the kind parting wishes of many people, for whose work and efforts, both they and I understand, I may be about to give my life."
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tonyq
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Post by tonyq on Apr 13, 2005 18:23:28 GMT -5
This sequence of photos, taken from a video film, showing Tereshkova being suited up by her support team just three hours before launch, 16th June 1963. Again, taken from her account :- "The process of dressing in the spacesuit is complex and quite prolonged. While we were dressing we encouraged each other by exchanging silent glances. Although my back-up knew that she will remain on the Earth, she did everything diligently. Indeed it could still happen that even in the very of final moments that suddenly it will prove to be that I cannot fly. While dressing, I can listen to my own heart beating. No especially rapid pulse, I am not too worried. Indeed at this moment, I feel completely calm, and am only concentrating on dressing and not thinking about anything else. I tried to behave as if we were only conducting training.(Her pulse during the preflight medical was officially recorded as 84 bpm, her normal resting pulse was around 65 bpm). We finished dressing at the same time, and began a short rest. Then we settled down in special couches, replicating the pilots couch in the cabin of the ship, to confirm the spacesuits were in order." General Kamanin noted his view of events in his journal :- At 11am after handing the (Vostok 5) watch to Kerimov I have gone to witness events, as Tereshkova and Solovyeva have been dressed in their spacesuits. They were both conducting themselves absolutely magnificently, no adverse comments on their physical examination or condition of spacesuits have been recorded." As these accounts make apparent, in accordance with the Soviets standard procedures at this time, both the prime and back-up cosmonauts were suited up for launch, and both were taken by bus to the launchpad. Although the decision on who would fly had been made several days before, They wanted to be fully prepared in case of any last minute technical, medical or emotional crisis.
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monsum
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by monsum on Apr 16, 2005 6:31:44 GMT -5
Tony, a picture of Galina Kortschuganowa, you mentioned in your listing of candidates. Taken in Magdeburg (GDR) 1968.
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Apr 16, 2005 10:33:19 GMT -5
Hi Monsum
Thanks for posting this.
I believe this lady died last year after a long career in aviation.
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Post by Red Pilot on May 10, 2005 8:41:43 GMT -5
It turns out that monsum almost a month ago emailed me several scanned pictures from the book. I must apologize - I rarely check that email address and noticed new messages only today. In any case, below are the scans I was sent. I've resized images with text a bit and killed the color to make file size smaller. I did not alter the image file though. Tony, I hope this will help you in your quest...
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Post by Red Pilot on May 10, 2005 8:43:45 GMT -5
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on May 19, 2005 13:52:25 GMT -5
Alexei
Thanks for posting these and sorry for the slow reply - I haven't passed this way for a few days.
I have just acquired the 1965 copy of Pravda which has a report of Prokhanova's flight.
Once it's been translated I will post details here.
Tony
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Post by Red Pilot on Jun 2, 2006 8:19:51 GMT -5
Tony,
Are you still around? I might have some news for you...
Cheers,
Alexei
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tonyq
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by tonyq on Jun 6, 2006 18:22:13 GMT -5
Hello Alexei
Yes, I'm still around - pass this way every few days - what was the news you had for me ??
Regards
Tony
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Post by Red Pilot on Jun 7, 2006 14:56:15 GMT -5
Tony,
I was able to find a couple of recording of Russian TV shows on your subject. One of them is about "dog team" - i.e. first dogs launched into the space prior to Gagarin and second show is called "Tereshkova's secret sisters" which what I think you can be interested in. I did not watch either so I can't say if they are any good or if they have any good information in there. In addition they are in Russian, so I don't know if you will be able to understand anything there. Do you have anyone who can translate that for you?
Cheers,
Alexei
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