Aleksandr Viktorenko

Aleksandr Stepanovich Viktorenko (Template:Langx; 29 March 1947 – 9 August 2023) was a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut.

Viktorenko was selected as a cosmonaut on 23 March 1978 and retired on 30 May 1997. He was commander of Soyuz TM-3, Soyuz TM-8, Soyuz TM-14, and Soyuz TM-20. He spent a total of 489 days in space.<ref >Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Russian tradition of Russian Orthodox priests blessing cosmonauts on launch day was initiated by Viktorenko when he requested one for the launch of Soyuz TM-20 in 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Aleksandr Viktorenko died on 9 August 2023, at the age of 76.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was buried at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery on 12 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Honours and awards

• Hero of the Soviet Union
• Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class (10 April 1995) for their courage and heroism displayed during prolonged space flight on the orbital scientific research complex Mir
• Order of Friendship of Peoples (11 August 1992) for the successful implementation of long-duration space flight on the orbital station Mir and displaying courage and heroism
• Order of Lenin
• Order of the October Revolution (19 February 1990) for the successful implementation of spaceflight on the orbital scientific research complex Mir and displaying courage and heroism
• Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" (12 April 2011) for the great achievements in the field of research, development, and use of outer space, many years of diligent work, and public activities
• Commander of the Legion of Honour (March 1999), previously an officer (1988)
• Pilot-cosmonaut of the Soviet Union