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Klimuk, Pyotr Iliyich

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Klimuk Credit: www.spacefacts.de

Status: Inactive; Active 1965-1982. Born: 1942-07-10. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 78.76 days. Birth Place: Komarovka, Brest.

Biography

Pyotr Ilyich Klimuk was born to a peasant family on June 10, 1942 in the village of Komarovka in the Brest region of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (currently the Republic of Belarus). His father was lost in 1944 during World War II. In 1959, he graduated from middle school and entered Primary Aviation School, and then attended Leninsky Komsomol Chernigov High Aviation School. After graduation in 1964, he served with the Soviet Air Force.

In 1965 he was accepted into the Soviet cosmonaut unit (1965 Air Force Group # 3). He underwent the full general space preparation course and trained for space flight on Soyuz type spacecraft and on the orbital station Salyut.

He performed his first flight on December 18-26, 1973, as commander of the space ship Soyuz -13 (call sign - Kavkas) together with Vitaly Vasilyevich Lebedev. His space flight lasted 7 days 20 hours 55 minutes and 35 seconds.

In January 1975 he was the commander of the support crew (together with Vitaly Ivanovich Sevastyanov) during the Soyuz -17 flight.

In April 1975 he was the commander of the reserve crew (together with Vitaly Ivanovich Sevastyanov) during the Soyuz -18-1 flight.

He made his second space flight from May 24 through July 26, 1975, together with Vitaly Ivanovich Sevastyanov. During that flight he served as commander of the spacecraft Soyuz -18-2 and the orbital complex Salyut -4 - Soyuz -18-2 (call sign Kavkas). Their stay in space was 63 days 23 hours 20 minutes and 8 seconds.

Since 1976 he underwent preparations according to the program Intercosmos for co-operation with socialist countries. In 1977 he graduated from a Gagarin Air Force Academy.

He made his third space flight from June 27 through July 5, 1978, as commander of the space ship Soyuz -30 (call sign - Kavkas) together with Polish cosmonaut Miroslav Hermaszewski. This was the second manned spaceflight of the Intercosmos program. The cosmonauts worked on board the orbital complex Salyut -6 - Soyuz -29 - Soyuz -30 together with Vladimir Vasilyevich Kovalenok and Alexsander Sergeyevich Ivanchenkov. Their stay in space was 7 days 22 hours 2 minutes and 59 seconds.

During his three flights Klimuk spent 78 days 18 hours 18 minutes and 42 seconds in space.

In 1978 he left the cosmonaut team. He served as the Assistant to the Chief of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre for political work (1978 - 1991). In 1983 he graduated from the Lenin Military Political Academy. Since 1991 he served as Chief of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.

Awards: Twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Awarded three Orders of Lenin, Polish Order of Krest Grunvald, Tsiolkovskiy Gold Medal (USSR Academy of Sciences), Gagarin Gold Medal (FAI), Gold Medal Poland Academy of Sciences. The winner of the State premiums USSR. Honorary citizen of Kaluga, Gagarin (Russia) and Dzhezkazgan (Kazakhstan).

Author of the books Beside the Stars (Moscow, 1979) and Attack on Weightlessness (Moscow, 1983).

Copyright © Alexander Zheleznyakov, 1998

Call sign: Kavkas (Caucasus).

Photo Gallery

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Soyuz 30 Klimuk and Hermaszewski before launch Credit: RKK Energia

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• Birth of Pyotr Ilyich Klimuk - . Nation: Belarus. Related Persons: Klimuk. Belarusian pilot cosmonaut 1965-1982. 3 spaceflights, 78.8 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz 13 (1973), Soyuz 18, Soyuz 30..

• Cosmonaut selection - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Degtyarev, Fyodorov, Glazkov, Grishchenko, Khludeyev, Kizim, Klimuk, Kolesnikov, Kramarenko, Lisun, Petrushenko, Preobrazhensky, Rozhdestvensky, Sarafanov, Sharafutdinov, Shcheglov, Skvortsov, Stepanov, Eduard, Voloshin, Yakovlev, Zudov.

  Although Kamanin desired 40 new cosmonaut-trainees, in the end only 17 were selected. They were:

  • Pilots: Voloshin, Sharafutdinov, Shcheglov, Kramarenko, Yakovlev, Petrushenko,Skvortsov, Fyodorov,Klimuk, Sarafanov, Zudov, Kizim
  • Engineers: Kolesnikov,Stepanov Eduard, Lisun, Rozhdestvensky, Khludeyev, Glazkov, Preobrazhensky
  • Navigator: Grishchenko
  • Physician: Degtyarov

• Soviet Air Force Cosmonaut Training Group 3 selected. - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Belousov, Degtyarev, Fyodorov, Glazkov, Grishchenko, Khludeyev, Kizim, Klimuk, Kolesnikov, Kramarenko, Lisun, Petrushenko, Preobrazhensky, Rozhdestvensky, Sarafanov, Sharafutdinov, Shcheglov, Skvortsov, Stepanov, Eduard, Voloshin, Yakovlev, Zudov.

• Lunar flight cosmonauts assignments. - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Artyukhin, Beregovoi, Bykovsky, Dobrovolsky, Gagarin, Gorbatko, Grechko, Khrunov, Klimuk, Kolodin, Komarov, Kubasov, Leonov, Makarov, Nikolayev, Popovich, Rukavishnikov, Sevastyanov, Shatalov, Volkov, Voloshin, Volynov, Voronov, Yeliseyev, Zholobov. Program: Lunar L1. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1.

  In the period 1966 to 1968 there were five simultaneous Soviet manned space projects (Soyuz 7K-OK orbital; Soyuz 7K-L1 circumlunar; Soyuz VI military; L3 manned lunar landing; Almaz space station). Cosmonaut assignments were in constant flux, resulting in many claims in later years that 'I was being trained for the first moon flight'. Additional Details: here....

• Manned space plans reviewed - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Artyukhin, Belyayev, Beregovoi, Bykovsky, Gagarin, Gorbatko, Grechko, Khrunov, Klimuk, Kolodin, Komarov, Kubasov, Leonov, Makarov, Nikolayev, Popovich, Rukavishnikov, Sevastyanov, Shatalov, Volkov, Volynov, Voronov, Yeliseyev. Program: Lunar L1, Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 1, Soyuz 2A. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1, Soyuz 7K-OK. At a meeting of the VPK Military-Industrial Commission and Chief Designers current manned space plans are reviewed.. Additional Details: here....

• Cosmonaut exams are held for Beregovoi, Shatalov, and Volynov. - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Beregovoi, Bykovsky, Klimuk, Kuklin, Leonov, Makarov, Popovich, Rukavishnikov, Sevastyanov, Shatalov, Voloshin, Volynov. Program: Soyuz, Lunar L1. Flight: Soyuz 3, Soyuz 4, Soyuz 5, Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 1, Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 2, Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 3. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1, Soyuz 7K-OK.

  The results will establish the order in which they will fly as Soyuz commanders. A 25-person board, consisting of spacecraft designers and cosmonauts, conduct the oral examinations. Each cosmonaut must answer five mandatory essay questions and select two two-part questions. All three are certified for flight and have a complete mastery of the Soyuz systems.

  Mishin and Kamanin meet and decide on L1 crews: Leonov-Makarov (with Kuklin as back-up); Bykovsky-Rukavishnikov (Klimuk back-up); and Popovich-Sevastyanov (Voloshin back-up). But that evening Leonov has yet another automobile accident. He hit a bus with his Volga at kilometre 24 near Shchelkovsky. This was his second accident in four months. Kamanin decides to prohibit him from driving automobiles for six months.

• Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 2 (cancelled) - . Crew: Bykovsky, Rukavishnikov. Backup Crew: Klimuk. Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L1. Flight: Soyuz 7K-L1 mission 2. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1. Planned second Soviet circumlunar flight. Cancelled after the success of the American Apollo 8..

• Soyuz Kontakt and DOS-2 crew assignments made. - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Alekseyev, Semyon, Artyukhin, Bykovsky, Filipchenko, Gorbatko, Grechko, Gubarev, Isakov, Klimuk, Kolodin, Kovalyonok, Lazarev, Leonov, Makarov, Porvatkin, Rukavishnikov, Sevastyanov, Shcheglov, Vorobyov, Voronov, Yakovlev, Yazdovsky. Program: Salyut, Lunar L3. Flight: DOS 2-1, DOS 2-2, DOS 2-3, DOS 2-4, Soyuz 11, Soyuz 12 / DOS 1, Soyuz sn 18, Soyuz sn 19, Soyuz sn 20, Soyuz sn 21, Soyuz sn 22, Soyuz sn 23. Spacecraft: Salyut 1, Soyuz Kontakt.

  Crews are formed for six Soyuz (Kontakt?) flights. Soyuz s/n 18 - Filipchenko and Grechko; Soyuz s/n 19 - Lazarev and Makarov; Soyuz s/n 20 - Vorobyov and Yazdovsky; Soyuz s/n 21 - Yakovlelv and Porvatkin; Soyuz s/n 22 - Kovalyonok and Isakov; Soyuz s/n 23 - Shcheglov and [illegible]. Five crews are training for Salyut flights: Crew 1, Leonov, Rukavishnikov, and Kolodin; Crew 2, Gubarev, Sevastyanov, and Voronov. TsKBEM engineer cosmonauts are to be selected will round out the last three crews, but VVS members will be: Crew 3, Klimuk, Artyukhin; Crew 4, Bykovskyy, Alekseyev; Crew 5, Gorbatko. Leonov and Gubarev will have their crews fully ready for Soyuz 12 by 30 June, for a launch date between 15-20 July. Leonov is asking to go to East Germany for two to three days in the first week of July. Kamanin is fully opposed to this - he is thinkng not of his upcoming flight, but the exhibition of his paintings at the Prezdensk Gallery!

• Soyuz 13 / DOS 2 (cancelled) - . Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Backup Crew: Grechko, Gubarev. Support Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Nation: Russia. Program: Salyut. Flight: Soyuz 13 / DOS 2. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Planned second mission to the Salyut DOS 2 space station. Cancelled after it was destroyed during launch..

• Soyuz Kontakt P (cancelled) - . Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Backup Crew: Fartushny, Klimuk. Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L3. Flight: Soyuz Kontakt P. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz Kontakt. Final crews selected for a dual Soyuz mission in Earth orbit to test the Kontakt docking system to be used on the lunar landing LOK and LK spacecraft. The Kontakt-P Soyuz would have been the passive spacecraft, simulating the LK lunar lander..

• Soyuz 13 / DOS 3 (cancelled) - . Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Backup Crew: Grechko, Gubarev. Support Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Nation: Russia. Program: Salyut. Flight: Soyuz 13 / DOS 3. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Planned second mission to the Salyut DOS 3 space station (Cosmos 557). Cancelled after it failed in orbit..

• Soyuz 12 - . Call Sign: Ural (Urals ). Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Backup Crew: Grechko, Gubarev. Support Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 36. Mass: 6,720 kg (14,810 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 12. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 1.97 days. Decay Date: 1973-09-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 6836 . COSPAR: 1973-067A. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Perigee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 51.00 deg. Period: 91.00 min.

  Experimental flight for the purpose of further development of manned space craft Soyuz 7K-T modifications. After the Soyuz 11 disaster, the Soyuz underwent redesign for increased reliability. Two solo test flights of the new design were planned. Crews for the first flight were those already planned for the deferred follow-on missions to the failed DOS 2 and DOS 3 space stations.

• Soyuz 13 - . Call Sign: Kavkas (Caucasus ). Crew: Klimuk, Lebedev. Backup Crew: Vorobyov, Yazdovsky. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 33A. Mass: 6,560 kg (14,460 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 13. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 7.87 days. Decay Date: 1973-12-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 6982 . COSPAR: 1973-103A. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). Perigee: 188 km (116 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

  A unique flight of the 7K-T/AF modification of the Soyuz spacecraft. The orbital module was dominated by the large Orion 2 astrophysical camera. The crew conducted astrophysical observations of stars in the ultraviolet range. Additional experiments included spectrozonal photography of specific areas of the earth's surface, and continued testing of space craft's on-board systems.

• Landing of Soyuz 13 - . Return Crew: Klimuk, Lebedev. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Klimuk, Lebedev. Program: Salyut. Flight: Soyuz 13. Soyuz 13 landed at 08:50 GMT in a snowstorm, 200 km SW of Karaganda..

• Soyuz 17 - . Call Sign: Zenit (Zenith ). Crew: Grechko, Gubarev. Backup Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Support Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 38. Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 17. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 29.56 days. Decay Date: 1975-02-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 7604 . COSPAR: 1975-001A. Apogee: 249 km (154 mi). Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 4. Joint experiments with the Salyut scientific orbital station..

• Soyuz 18-1 - . Call Sign: Ural (Urals ). Crew: Lazarev, Makarov. Backup Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 39. Mass: 6,830 kg (15,050 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 18-1. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 0.0149 days. Decay Date: 1975-04-05 . Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

  Carried Oleg Makarov, Vasili Lazarev for rendezvous with Salyut 4; but during second-third stage seperation third stage failed to separate from second stage but still ignited. The crew demanded that the abort procedures be implemented but ground control could not see the launch vehicle gyrations in their telemetry. Soyuz finally was separated from by ground control command at 192 km, and following a 20.6+ G reentry, the capsule landed in the Altai mountains, tumbled down a mountainside, and snagged in some bushes just short of a precipice. The crew was worried that they may have landed in China and would face internment, but after an hour sitting in the cold next to the capsule, they were discovered by locals speaking Russian. Total flight duration was 1574 km and flight time 21 minutes 27 seconds. Lazarev suffered internal injuries from the high-G reentry and tumble down the mountain side and never flew again. Both cosmonauts were denied their 3000 ruble spaceflight bonus pay and had to apeal all the way to Brezhnev before being paid.

• Soyuz 18 - . Call Sign: Kavkas (Caucasus ). Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Backup Crew: Kovalyonok, Ponomaryov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 40. Mass: 6,825 kg (15,046 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 18. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 62.97 days. Decay Date: 1975-07-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 7818 . COSPAR: 1975-044A. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.60 min. Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 4. Joint experiments with the Salyut scientific orbital station. The crew remained aloft aboard the station during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project joint flight..

• Landing of Soyuz 18 - . Return Crew: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Klimuk, Sevastyanov. Program: Salyut. Flight: Soyuz 18. Soyuz 18 landed at 14:18 GMT, 56 km E of Arkalyk..

• Soyuz 30 - . Call Sign: Kavkas (Caucasus ). Crew: Hermaszewski, Klimuk. Backup Crew: Jankowski, Kubasov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T(A9) s/n 67. Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut 6. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 29, Soyuz 30. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T/A9. Duration: 7.92 days. Decay Date: 1978-07-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 10968 . COSPAR: 1978-065A. Apogee: 244 km (151 mi). Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 6. Placed on board the Salyut-6 station, under the Intercosmos programme, a second, international, crew consisting of P.I. Klimuk (USSR) and M. Hermaszewski (Poland) to conduct scientific investigations and experiments..

• Landing of Soyuz 30 - . Return Crew: Hermaszewski, Klimuk. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Hermaszewski, Klimuk. Program: Salyut 6. Flight: Soyuz 29, Soyuz 30. Soyuz 30 landed at 13:29 GMT. .