Cosmonaut: Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova (03/06/1937)
- 6th cosmonaut of the USSR (10th in the world);
- Flight duration (1963): 2 days 22 hours 50 minutes, call sign “Chaika”.
On March 6, 1937, in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo, near the city of Tutaev, which is located in the Yaroslavl region of the RSFSR, Valentina Tereshkova, the first female cosmonaut, was born. During the Soviet-Finnish war, Valentina’s father, Vladimir Aksenovich, who was called to the front, dies. In 1945, Valentina entered the Yaroslavl secondary school. During his school years he enjoys playing the domra. After completing seven years of training, Valentina gets a job as a bracelet maker at a tire factory in the city of Yaroslavl. Since 1955, she worked at the Krasny Perekop technical textiles plant, where her mother and sister also worked. From 1955 to 1960, Valentina Vladimirovna underwent correspondence studies at the Yaroslavl Technical School, upon completion of which she received a diploma as a cotton spinning technician. In 1959, Valentina began to get involved in parachuting and made 90 jumps at the Yaroslavl flying club. In 1957, the future cosmonaut joined the Komsomol, and since 1957 she has been the secretary of the committee at the Krasny Perekop plant.
Space training
In 1962, Sergei Korolev decided to send a female cosmonaut into space, as a result of which the search began for candidates among parachutists according to the following criteria: no older than 30 years, no higher than 170 cm and weighing no more than 70 kg. Five women were selected, including Valentina Vladimirovna. After passing the medical commission, she was enrolled as a cosmonaut student in March 1962. Next, Tereshkova’s general space training began in a group of female students. After passing the state exams, on December 1, 1962, she received the position of cosmonaut of the first detachment.
During her preparation, Valentina managed to successfully complete a number of trainings and tests: 10 days in a soundproofing chamber (soundproof room), as well as being in a thermal chamber at +70 °C, 30% humidity and wearing overalls. Several training sessions were conducted in zero-gravity conditions created by aircraft maneuvers. Their duration was about 40 seconds and during this time the candidates had to successfully complete assigned tasks, such as writing names on pieces of paper or attempting to eat.
The commission chose Tereshkova, based not only on the girl’s high academic performance, but also on her social abilities and personal qualities.
Space flight
On June 16, 1963, the commander of the Vostok-6 spacecraft, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, launched from Baikonur. As part of the mission, a joint orbital flight of the Vostok-6 and Vostok-5 spacecraft took place, on board which was.
During the flight, detailed observations of the body of women and men in space were carried out, and the problem of feeding people in space was solved. To prepare for landing, Valentina Tereshkova had to reorient the ship, with which difficulties began to arise. After lengthy adjustments, the astronaut stopped responding to messages from the command center, when the center contacted her through a television camera - it turned out that the girl was sleeping. Long unsuccessful adjustments to the ship's orientation exhausted the astronaut. It is noteworthy that Valentina Vladimirovna correctly carried out all the established commands, but the spacecraft reacted in the opposite way - it moved away from the Earth. It was later discovered that the system incorrectly read the trajectory data that was entered by the astronaut and inverted it in the opposite direction. When this problem was clarified, Valentina Vladimirovna entered the changed data and oriented the ship to Earth.
After 2 days and almost 23 hours of flight, the Chaika successfully returned to Earth. In the area of the landing site, the girl distributed the remaining food for the astronauts to local residents, while she herself ate local products, which went beyond the limits established by the mission.
For the successful completion of a complex space mission, Valentina Tereshkova, the first female cosmonaut, was awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.
Future life
From 1955 to 1966, Valentina Vladimirovna was trained to fly on the Voskhod spacecraft. From 1964 to 1969, she studied at the Zhukovsky Military Aviation Institute and received a diploma as a pilot-cosmonaut-engineer. In 1977 she defended her dissertation for Candidate of Technical Sciences. Tereshkova has more than 50 scientific publications to her credit. Until 1997, the first woman cosmonaut served in the cosmonaut corps as an instructor-test cosmonaut. From 1966 to 1989, Valentina Tereshkova worked as a deputy of the Supreme Council. For the next couple of decades, the female astronaut devotes her life to politics. In the spring of 2016, Valentina Vladimirovna took part in the internal party elections of United Russia, where she took first place in the Yaroslavl region.
The second day, the Amur region welcomes unique guests - the world's first female cosmonaut, Hero of the Soviet Union Valentina Tereshkova and the first person to go into outer space, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Alexei Leonov. Today they answered questions from schoolchildren and talked about competition with the United States, friendship with Yuri Gagarin and how they felt when they conquered outer space.
How to become an astronaut?
Alexey Leonov: For the first corps of cosmonauts, which was formed at the suggestion of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, the requirements were as follows - fighter pilots under the age of 30, flying the latest aircraft in all conditions, day and night. Out of three thousand people, only 20 were selected. The selection was too harsh. Having passed the commission, a person begins to study at the cosmonaut training center. After graduating from a two-year school, he receives a diploma and enlists in the cosmonaut corps. Starts working in preparation. Then one of them is selected, undergoes full training, and flies into space. Afterwards he receives the title of pilot-cosmonaut. Previously the USSR, now Russia. Depending on the complexity of the tasks, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union or now - of Russia is awarded. Having completed the flight, the astronaut continues to work again. 
The world's first female astronaut
Valentina Tereshkova: In the 60s there was fierce competition between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. It became known that the Americans are preparing a woman for space flight. And we, parachutists, were invited because we had experience jumping day and night, on land and in water.After Yuri Gagarin's flight, there was a desire among parachutists, athletes, pilots, and glider pilots to join the cosmonaut corps. We are no exception. Five people were selected from a large number - two Muscovites, one from Ryazan, me from Yaroslavl and my backup Ira Solovyova from Sverdlovsk. We started preparing.
Unfortunately, space does not do gallant indulgence to women. There are no differences from the training program for men. But the program is such that it makes it possible to study not only the ship, but the systems that are on the ship. We were practically deprived of normal human life. We were closed, our life was subject only to preparations for space flight, a strict medical examination and the State Commission, headed by Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. He studied, followed us, and his opinion was important.
The preparation itself allows you to get used to the spaceship and the program, so you don’t think about whether it’s scary or not. I was recently lucky enough to be in Syria. What a joy it was to see young guys 30-32 years old who own modern aviation equipment.
Alexey Leonov about his colleague, neighbor, friend, State Duma deputy Valentina Tereshkova: “She gets up at five in the morning every day. He gets himself in order, drives two hours to Moscow, works there all day. Then he comes back, puts himself in order, and so on every day.”
Historical moment: spacewalk
Alexey Leonov: It was a very difficult preparation. It was obligatory that the task was set personally by Sergei Pavlovich Korolev.On March 18, a ship was designed for this purpose, which had two engines, unlike the Vostok. The camera that was used to enter space did not depressurize the ship. This is very important, since depressurization of a ship is the second emergency mode. We prepared well.
After putting the ship into orbit over Kamchatka, I went to the main unit of the system, turned on the autonomous system and began to relieve pressure from the cargo chamber. It took one and a half to two seconds to reach the gateway section. What I saw: the entire Crimea, turned my head - Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, raised - the Kaliningrad region, the Baltic Sea. And quietly, quietly! I hear my heart beating, I hear my breathing and at this time Levitan’s words: “Attention! Attention! Man has entered outer space and is floating freely.” My first thought: “Who is this?” I didn’t even understand that they were already saying: it can’t be that fast!
The ship lost its orientation. And this is very bad! It wasn't supposed to be this way! The ship must maintain its position in space. Further - I feel the phalanges of my fingers come out of my gloves. I found myself in limbo. I thought, what should I do? I managed to get to the airlock. But I felt that I couldn’t enter the way I had been trained. I committed a crime - I did not report anything to Earth, and I myself dropped the pressure from normal to half. This is criminal. But I had an open connection, and I didn’t want to talk about problems. Because no one will help me anyway.
I started to enter with my feet, but it didn’t work. But you only have to enter with your feet, then turn around, and it was such strong work. It had to be folded twice. Everything happened literally in a minute. I had such sweating - I lost six kilograms in a day. I could have died from heatstroke. But we had to get through it, and we got through it.
Then Sergei Pavlovich asked why I violated and did not report anything? I said: “I am reporting the problem to you, you gather a commission, choose a chairman, they will start asking me... And I have 30 minutes of life left! Of course, the commission would start asking me, but I was already dead. Korolev listened first, and then: “Alyosha is right.”
About a friend. About Gagarin
Alexey Leonov: I met him on November 4, 1959 while undergoing a commission - you need to be healthy and strong. I entered the room and saw a young man. He looked up at me, and I was surprised: his face was as if I had seen it 10 times - open, clear, big blue eyes. And after 30 minutes I knew everything about him. He told his life.When I came in, he was also reading Hemingway, whose book had just appeared. And my first thought is: “What an interesting guy.”
Then, when we studied in the same detachment, we sat at the same desk and flew. And when the time came to determine who would fly into space, the majority, including our comrades, decided that it was better if Yuri Gagarin did it.
He was an accomplished person. With his understanding of what a person must do in the name of his Motherland, his people. How and what to do, what qualities: constant curiosity, dedication to one’s work, an excellent pilot. Of course, he didn't live long. He died at the age of 34. But before this time he had done so much! He had unusual organizational skills and was dedicated to his work. He laid the foundation for the traditions that are followed in our cosmonaut corps.
About the Vostochny Cosmodrome
Alexey Leonov: The Vostochny Cosmodrome is an amazing creation of human hands: cyclopean structures, everything is technically thought out, and at the same time the nature that surrounds us is not disturbed. You need to be at the cosmodrome (addresses the schoolchildren). You must see this. Maybe you want to work there, you have the right to do so.Valentina Tereshkova: Yesterday we got acquainted with the cosmodrome. Embraces pride in our country. They say that they can’t do anything in Russia. Can! The Amur region, indeed, is the earthly haven of those people who will go to explore the Moon, create conditions, and then explore Mars and deep space.
The dream of going into space has not left humanity for centuries, and on April 12, 1961, it was destined to come true - Yuri Gagarin made his first flight. Today at Cosmonautics Day, we want to recall an equally significant space expedition - flight of the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.
The first space flights took place in conditions of fierce competition between the USSR and the USA. Both superpowers worked to ensure that their ships plowed the expanses of the Universe, but, as you know, the palm in this matter belonged to the Soviet Union. After the debut “male” flight, the Americans had only one trump card left - to prepare a “female” flight, but even here the Soviet cosmonauts were ahead. As soon as the country of Soviets received information about the preparation of the American “women’s team,” Nikita Khrushchev personally insisted that a competitive selection be held among Soviet women as well.
There were many contenders for the role of the woman who would be the first to go into space. Such a scale would be the envy of any modern beauty contest: out of 800 participants in the competition, 30 made it to the finals. They began to be prepared for the decisive flight. During the preparation process, the 5 best candidates were selected; by the way, Valentina Tereshkova was by no means the first in this ranking. In terms of medical indicators, she ranked last.
The girls went through difficult tests: they were placed in extremely high temperatures and in rooms with high humidity, they had to try themselves in conditions of weightlessness and learn to land on water by jumping with a parachute (training was needed for landing during the landing of a spacecraft). Psychological testing was also carried out: it was important to understand how comfortable women would be while in space (by the way, Tereshkova’s experience was unique in that she was in space for almost three days alone, all later flights were made by a duo).
The decision about who would fly into space was made personally by Khrushchev; the story of Valentina Tereshkova perfectly fit the ideal of a “girl from the people” who achieved everything through her own labor. Valentina had a simple family, she herself was born in a village and worked at a weaving factory, she had never been professionally involved in parachute jumping, she had less than 100 jumps in total. In a word, the heroine from the people fully corresponded to the desired ideal.
Tereshkova's spacecraft was launched on June 16, 1963. She flew on the Vostok-6 ship. Valentina Tereshkova can rightfully be called a heroine, since during the flight she faced a huge number of difficulties, but survived all the trials with dignity. The main problem turned out to be poor health: nausea, lethargy, drowsiness - I had to fight all this. There was even a recorded case that Valentina stopped responding to requests from Earth; it turned out that she simply fell asleep from overwork; only Valery Bykovsky, another Soviet cosmonaut, who was also in orbit at that time, was able to wake her up. There was an internal connection between their ships, through which the astronauts could communicate.
However, the most terrible test, about which the official authorities were silent for a long time, was a malfunction in the mechanism of Tereshkova’s ship. Instead of landing on Earth, she risked flying into space and dying. Miraculously, Gagarin, who was monitoring the flight, managed to figure out how to correct the situation, and Valentina Tereshkova was still able to return.
Landing in the Altai region turned out to be difficult. The exhausted female astronaut literally fell on the heads of local residents. Tired and exhausted, she gladly changed into the clothes brought to her, exposing her body, which had turned into a continuous hematoma from the spacesuit, and also tasted peasant food - potatoes, kvass and bread. For this, she later received a reprimand from Sergei Korolev himself, because by doing so she violated the purity of the experiment.
For many years after Valentina Tereshkova’s flight, Soviet women did not go into space; too many difficulties arose during the flight due to the “individual characteristics of the female body.” But the name of the first Soviet female pilot is forever inscribed in world history!
Interestingly, today there are many versions regarding whether. According to some sources, he was the fourth cosmonaut, according to others - even the twelfth!
Valentina Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937 into a peasant family in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo, Yaroslavl region. Her father was a tractor driver, her mother was a textile factory worker. Drafted into the Red Army in 1939, Tereshkova's father died in the Soviet-Finnish War.
In 1945, the girl entered secondary school number 32 in the city of Yaroslavl, where she graduated from seven classes in 1953. To help her family, in 1954 Tereshkova went to work at a tire factory, while simultaneously enrolling in evening classes at a school for working youth. Continuing to work at the textile mill, from 1955 to 1960 she completed correspondence studies at the College of Light Industry.
In March 1962, Tereshkova joined the CPSU.
While still working and studying by correspondence at a technical school, the future first female cosmonaut became fascinated by the sky - while studying at a local flying club, she made 163 parachute jumps. However, the girl wanted to fly - and she achieved enrollment in the first female cosmonaut corps, where she, in particular, was taught how to fly an airplane. Tereshkova was enrolled in the cosmonaut corps on March 12, 1962 and remained in it until April 28, 1997.
“The workload of the women’s group of five people was greater than that of the men,” Tereshkova recalled, clarifying that in general the training system in those years was excessively strict. But everyone “had one crazy idea - to get through the training flawlessly at all costs and fly.”
Tereshkova's flight on the Vostok-6 spacecraft in low-Earth orbit together with the Vostok-5 spacecraft, piloted by Valery Bykovsky, lasted two days, 22 hours and 50 minutes.
Colonel Nikolai Kamanin, who was involved in the selection and training of cosmonauts, described Tereshkova’s launch in his book “Hidden Space”.
“The preparation of the rocket, the ship and all maintenance operations went extremely well. In terms of the clarity and coherence of the work of all services and systems, Tereshkova’s launch reminded me of Gagarin’s launch. Like April 12, 1961, June 16, 1963, the flight was prepared and started perfectly. Everyone who saw During the preparation for the launch and the launch of the spacecraft into orbit, Tereshkova, who listened to her reports on the radio, was unanimously told: “She carried out the launch better than Popovich and Nikolaev.” Yes, I am very glad that I was not mistaken in choosing the first female cosmonaut,” notes Kamanin.
Her name was Chaika. This was her call sign in space. And on Earth, on the roof of her house there is a weather vane in the shape of this bird. Her mansion is located next to Star City. At one time, she was able to make a space flight alone. She is Valentina Tereshkova. Read the article for details of this fragile woman’s flight into space.
Difficult war childhood
The biography of Valentina Tereshkova began in the spring of 1937 in one of the villages of the Yaroslavl province. Her parents were from Belarus. The astronaut’s mother worked at a textile factory, and her father was a tractor driver. Unfortunately, her dad died during the Soviet-Finnish conflict. Accordingly, the entire household and raising three children fell on the mother’s shoulders. Moreover, the Great Patriotic War began soon.
Undoubtedly, little Valya’s childhood turned out to be very difficult. Devastation and despair reigned in the country.
When this terrible war ended, the future cosmonaut went to first grade. She studied quite well. In addition, she had a good ear for music. That is why she started learning to play the domra.
However, when she finished seventh grade, she had to go to evening school. She was forced to help her mother and earn money. Thus, young Valentina moved to Yaroslavl and got a job at a tire factory there.
When she graduated from high school, she entered the light industry technical school. Of course, within these walls I studied science in absentia, like most young people in those days.
Aeroclub in Yaroslavl
Having become a student, Valentina began attending the city flying club on weekends. This establishment practiced parachute jumping. And she really liked these classes.
In total, the future cosmonaut performed more than 160 jumps. By and large, this was a solid indicator, especially for the fairer sex. Valentina was even given a sports rank.
In fact, she could no longer imagine herself without parachuting. And thanks to this hobby, he joined the team of space explorers.
In the cosmonaut corps
After graduating from technical school, which happened in 1960, Valentina got a job at a factory called Krasny Perekop. In addition to the direct work process, she headed the Komsomol organization there.
In a word, her life and career seemed to develop according to the standard scenario for a Soviet person. However, chance intervened in this story. The fact is that in 1962, academician Sergei Korolev intended to send a woman into space. Of course, this idea was also approved by members of the Central Committee of the first Soviet state, including Secretary General Nikita Khrushchev.
To implement the bold plan, the project leaders began to look for a suitable candidate. Let us note right away that there were a lot of people who wanted to go into space. Space industry workers had to search for applicants from hundreds of possible candidates.
At the same time, strict requirements were imposed on all participants in the selection. Representatives of the fairer sex should weigh no more than 70 kg, height - 170 cm. In addition, these girls should have a decent number of parachute jumps to their credit.
There was another important circumstance. When making their selection, leaders took into account a number of aspects of ideological and political literacy. They also considered the candidates' ability for public activity. As a discharge student in parachuting and the head of the factory Komsomol organization, Tereshkova, in principle, was an ideal contender. She fit all the criteria. In a word, she was considered an ideologically reliable person.
As a result, five girls were chosen for a female-piloted space flight. Of course, Tereshkova was among them. All of them were officially called up for military service. They became privates and began to train hard. And the conditions during the classes were quite harsh. Let's say they had to spend ten whole days in an isolation cell.
They say that the project managers ultimately chose Tatyana Morozycheva. By the way, Valentina trained with her at a Yaroslavl club. And she made more parachute jumps than Tereshkova.
Be that as it may, members of the last medical commission found out that Tatyana was pregnant. Thus, it finally became clear that Valentina would go into space after all.
Flight
When she realized that she would soon find herself in space, she tried to hide her plans from her family. She said then that she was going to leave for the next skydiving competition.
So what year did Valentina Tereshkova fly? The event took place in the middle of summer 1963. Her call sign was Chaika. The launch of Vostok-6 went without any problems. Valentina Tereshkova's first flight into space lasted more than two days. During this time, the device made 48 orbits around the Earth.
The woman endured the space voyage quite poorly. Valentina Tereshkova's flight duration in space is 70 hours. But they turned out to be literally hell for her.
As it turned out, there was an inaccuracy in the Vostok-6 automatic program. The fact is that the ship was oriented somewhat differently than it should have been. And Tereshkova was not approaching the planet at all, but moving away from it. She felt nauseous and dizzy. At the same time, the spacesuit was not allowed to be removed. On the second day of the flight, my shin started to hurt.
Valentina Tereshkova was forced to sharply limit her movements in space. She sat practically motionless. However, she still managed to put new data into the computer. By the way, she did not tell anyone about this emergency except the flight directors. Actually, Korolev himself then asked her to remain silent.
The problems that the astronaut had had an explanation in terms of physiology. They say that when the medical commission examined her before the flight, the results were very bad. However, on Khrushchev’s instructions, she was allowed to go on the flight.
Be that as it may, despite her physical condition during the flight into space, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was able to withstand all the tests. She managed not only to regularly keep a journal on board, but also to take photographs. Subsequently, these images were useful in further space travel. In a word, she held on and sent exclusively positive reports to Earth.
Landing
The spacecraft landed in Altai. True, when Valentina Tereshkova (1963) ejected after a flight into space, she hit her helmet very hard. She received a large bruise on her temple and cheek. As a result, when she was found, she was practically unconscious.
She was urgently brought to the capital and hospitalized. And a little later, doctors reported that the life and health of the first female cosmonaut was out of danger.
When she finally came to her senses, the newsreel staff managed to do some stage photography. As if after the flight into space, Valentina Tereshkova (date of event - June 16, 1963) was in the apparatus. Extras ran towards him. Then they opened the lid and saw a cheerful and smiling Tereshkova. These images then flew around the entire planet.
Subsequently, as a reward, Tereshkova was given a three-room apartment in her homeland, in Yaroslavl. She lived here for almost three years, after which she finally settled in the capital.
Woman symbol
The seagull actually returned from space as a female symbol. Representatives of the fairer sex began to imitate her. They did haircuts like Tereshkova. A wristwatch with the name “Seagull” appeared in stores.
Party leaders constantly invited her to Kremlin receptions. A number of public organizations included her in their meetings.
The government awarded her, in addition to the Hero star, prestigious awards. She became the only female general in the Soviet army. In addition, she became a hero in such republics as Mongolia and Bulgaria.
She also received the title of "The Greatest Woman of the Twentieth Century." A small planet, streets in cities, the Evpatoria embankment, a square in Tver, city schools, a museum and a planetarium were named in her honor. In addition, one of the lunar craters was named after her.
Public figure
After her flight into space, Valentina Tereshkova (the date of the event is already known to you) began working as an instructor and spacecraft tester.
Two years later she began studying at the Air Force Academy and five years later she received a honors diploma.
During her studies, she wrote almost fifty working papers on this specialization. But since 1966 she has been actively involved in social activities. She became a deputy of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union. She was also the second person in the International Federation of Women. It was then that they began to call her the Iron Lady.
To be honest, Tereshkova was very burdened by this party burden. She said that she did not receive any money for her public work. And I always dreamed of a new flight. She even tried to get into the new astronaut corps. However, after Gagarin’s death, the Soviet government decided to protect the “firsts”.
Valentina continued to be interested in space. She dreamed of going on a flight to Mars. At the same time, she understood that this flight would be one way...
In the 90s, she was the head of the Association for International Cooperation and the Council for Coordinating the Activities of Russian Science Centers.
And at the end of this decade she began working at the Cosmonaut Training Center. She received the post of senior researcher there.
Present time
Since 2008, Tereshkova has collaborated with the United Russia party. She was a State Duma deputy. She always helped her Yaroslavl school and some other children's institutions. Thanks to her, a university, a planetarium and a river station were opened in Yaroslavl.
In the spring of 2008, she turned out to be the torchbearer of the domestic stage of the games in Beijing.
Three years later she again became the people's representative.
In 2014, she carried the Russian flag at the Olympics in Sochi.
And in 2015, she headed a non-profit charitable foundation called “Memory of Generations.”
In 2016, she once again won the election race, becoming a deputy of the State Duma.
Orbital marriage
Five months after the epoch-making space flight, Valentina Tereshkova (1963) got married. Her chosen one was cosmonaut Andrian Nikolaev. This act was too unexpected for many. At a minimum, the residents of Yaroslavl knew that she allegedly had a fiancé. True, the journalists could not find him.
Be that as it may, 35-year-old cosmonaut Nikolaev was in fact courting young Valentina. She was then twenty-six. Many believed that this relationship would not last long. They were too different - strong and strong-willed. They say that the head of the Soviet state Nikita Khrushchev himself matched them. Such a stellar, cosmic, orbital pair did not exist then. But this marriage still lasted for nineteen years.
The couple also had their first child, daughter Lena. At one time, she perfectly graduated from both school and medical institute. She works as an orthopedic surgeon. She has two sons - Alexey and Andrey.
In the late 70s, the space couple began to appear together less often. There was no question of getting a divorce. For Nikolaev could easily have been fired from the cosmonaut corps for being “immoral.” Moreover, in fact, then two applicants for cosmonauts were expelled due to divorces. And Tereshkova, the head of the Committee, is somehow uncomfortable being in a state of divorce.
They say that Brezhnev saved the situation. He personally agreed to this divorce. By this time, Tereshkova was in love again.
Second marriage
She met her new boyfriend, Valentina Tereshkova, whose photo you can see in the article, back in 1978. By this time, she was again in the cosmonaut corps and hoped that she would go on her new space journey. And Yuliy Shaposhnikov served at the Medical Academy in those days. He checked the health of the astronauts. Employees called him a “hard worker” and “humble.” And Valentina herself always spoke warmly about him.
Then it was clear that they were in love. They say that because of the new novel, Shaposhnikov abandoned his family.
They lived together for almost two decades. During this time, Tereshkova’s husband was able to head the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics. He also became a major general. But in 1999 he died due to cancer.
Recent history
At the moment, Tereshkova has practically no close people left. There was a time when she loved her own younger brother very much. His name was Vladimir. He worked as a cameraman in Star City. A few years ago he passed away.
Valentina’s mother has also been gone for a long time. Until the last moment she searched for her father. As mentioned earlier, he died during the Soviet-Finnish war. It was known that he died a heroic death on the territory of the Karelian Isthmus. But his grave, of course, did not exist then. And only in the late 80s, the head of the defense department D. Yazov helped her find his burial. He was able to allocate funds to fly over the area. As a result, a mass grave was found in the forest. Tereshkova was even able to erect a monument there. Since then, she regularly visits this place.
Despite her age, she can still boast of her good health. Although in 2004 she had heart surgery. Otherwise she would have suffered a heart attack.
Until the end, Chaika continues to do a lot for his native region. And in 1996, the head of the school where she studied fell ill. At this moment, the teacher needed urgent surgery. Thanks to Valentina, she was operated on in the capital. And it's free.
The female symbol has great connections. True, quite little is known about this side of her life. In the 80s, she “closed herself” from the media because of the stupidest articles about her. Her silence was broken only a few years ago.