Russia's Cosmonauts

The Cosmonaut Training Centre: birth and growth.- Simulators.- Other national and international facilities.- Survival training.- The Cosmonaut Group of the RGNII TsPK.- The Cosmonaut group of RKK Energiya.- Other Soviet and Russian cosmonaut selections.- Cosmonauts selected to fly the Buran Shuttle.- International training.- Joint programmes.- Zvyozdnyy Gorodok the town.

From the reviews of the first edition: "With the downfall of the Soviet Union ! the history of the 'other' manned space program could have been lost forever. That this can no longer occur is due in no small part to enthusiasts like the authors of this book. Diligently they have gathered together a host of appropriately-monochrome photographs, maps and detailed information concerning the Soviet space effort ! . it's a significant printed resource. Doubtless it will soon be scanned and on the web itself." (Duncan Steel, Australian Physics, Vol. 43 (4), 2006) "The book provides important background information and insight to the operational Soviet/Russian human space program ! revealing information and facts not covered elsewhere and providing a unique reference source for those who wish to understand the changing role of Russian cosmonauts in today's global space program." (Quest, Vol. 13 (4), 2006) "This comprehensive account of the once-secret centre is written by three of the leading western authorities on the Soviet-Russian human spaceflight programme. ! One of the strengths of the book is the inclusion of numerous photographs of training-centre facilities ! . Also of value for spaceflight enthusiasts are the detailed appendices of the individuals and crews who have trained there ! . This book is recommended for anyone who wants an in-depth look at the centre that trained the world's first human space explorers." (Peter Bond, The Observatory, Vol. 126 (1194), 2006) "What was the philosophy behind the Soviet Space Program? These questions and very many more are answered in this superb history of the Soviet/Russian cosmonauts and the training centre popularly known as Star City. ! The work is based on extensive research of English and Russian language written sources ! . The author's wide experience is reflected in the breath and depth of this history. Noteworthy points include a definitive identification of all cosmonaut recruits." (John O'Dwyer, Tiros Space