Tatyana Kuznetsova
Encyclopedia
Tatyana Dmitryevna Kuznetsova (born 14 July 1941) is a former Soviet cosmonaut. She is the youngest person ever selected by a government human spaceflight program.
In December 1961, the selection of female cosmonaut trainees was authorised by the Soviet government, with the specific intention of ensuring the first woman in space was a Soviet citizen. In February 1962, Kuznetsova was selected as a member of a group of five female cosmonauts to be trained for a solo spaceflight in a Vostok
spacecraft. Although she worked as a secretary, she parachuted as a hobby, which she had taken up in 1958, and by 1961 was a regional and national champion. Even though she was only 20 years old, her skill and courage as a parachutist led the cosmonaut recruiters to select her for their programme. In the early days of her training, Kuznetsova was the favourite to become the first woman in space, but by late summer 1962 some failures in the physically and emotionally tough preparation regime resulted in her being removed from training.
The honor of being the first woman in space was eventually given to Valentina Tereshkova
who was launched into Earth orbit in June 1963 aboard Vostok 6
. Tereshkova's backup was Irina Solovyova
, with Valentina Ponomaryova
in a supporting 'second backup' role.
Despite her earlier difficulties, Kuznetsova was recalled to cosmonaut training in January 1965 to prepare for a spaceflight on a two-woman Voskhod 5 mission, but the project was cancelled before she had a chance to fly.
Kuznetsova finally retired from the cosmonaut program in 1969 when it became clear that no women would be included on future Soviet flights.
In December 1961, the selection of female cosmonaut trainees was authorised by the Soviet government, with the specific intention of ensuring the first woman in space was a Soviet citizen. In February 1962, Kuznetsova was selected as a member of a group of five female cosmonauts to be trained for a solo spaceflight in a Vostok
Vostok programme
The Vostok programme was a Soviet human spaceflight project that succeeded in putting a person into Earth's orbit for the first time. The programme developed the Vostok spacecraft from the Zenit spy satellite project and adapted the Vostok rocket from an existing ICBM design...
spacecraft. Although she worked as a secretary, she parachuted as a hobby, which she had taken up in 1958, and by 1961 was a regional and national champion. Even though she was only 20 years old, her skill and courage as a parachutist led the cosmonaut recruiters to select her for their programme. In the early days of her training, Kuznetsova was the favourite to become the first woman in space, but by late summer 1962 some failures in the physically and emotionally tough preparation regime resulted in her being removed from training.
The honor of being the first woman in space was eventually given to Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova is a retired Soviet cosmonaut, and was the first woman in space. She was selected out of more than four hundred applicants, and then out of five finalists, to pilot Vostok 6 on the 16 June, 1963, becoming both the first woman and the first civilian to fly in...
who was launched into Earth orbit in June 1963 aboard Vostok 6
Vostok 6
-Backup crew:-Reserve crew:Vostok VI-Mission parameters:*Mass: *Apogee: *Perigee: *Inclination: 64.9°*Period: 87.8 minutes9090...
. Tereshkova's backup was Irina Solovyova
Irina Solovyova
Irina Bayanovna Solovyova was one of the five women chosen in the female group, now a retired Soviet cosmonaut. She never flew into space, but was chosen as the backup to Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space via Vostok 6 in June, 1963...
, with Valentina Ponomaryova
Valentina Ponomaryova
Valentina Leonidovna Ponomaryova is a former Soviet Cosmonaut.In December 1961, the selection of female cosmonauts was authorised by the Soviet Government, with the specific intention of ensuring the first woman in space was a Soviet citizen. In February 1962 Ponomaryova was selected in a group of...
in a supporting 'second backup' role.
Despite her earlier difficulties, Kuznetsova was recalled to cosmonaut training in January 1965 to prepare for a spaceflight on a two-woman Voskhod 5 mission, but the project was cancelled before she had a chance to fly.
Kuznetsova finally retired from the cosmonaut program in 1969 when it became clear that no women would be included on future Soviet flights.