After 300 Days in Space, an Astronaut Returns to a Very Different World
Embracing the Unknown
For most of us, a terrifying near-death experience in space would be enough to stop us from even looking up at the sky at night. However, for Sergei Krikalev, the humbling experience is an opportunity to share his stellar escapade with the rest of us.
By following his journey, he inspires children to dream of becoming astronauts and adults to become braver and stronger versions of themselves. Sergei’s fight for survival is one that makes the rest of the human race proud to be human.
The Road That Led Him Here
From the tender age of 20, Sergei was outstanding in his field. As a result, he was selected to go on a space mission when he was 30. His dedication to his craft made it clear that he was the ideal candidate.
Sergei went on a mission to the Mir Space Station, and he returned to Earth without any difficulty. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that he was chosen to go to the space station a second time. However, this time would be a catastrophic episode unlike any other.
Interstellar Romance
Sergei’s incredible positivity and eagerness to explore space were contagious. As a result, mission control enjoyed communicating with him very much. In fact, Sergei would later marry one of the ladies whom he spoke to so frequently. Yelena, a radio operator, would fall for Sergei.
The optimistic interaction between the two was the perfect love story for a young couple who shared a passion for space and a deep love for exploration. After returning to Earth, Sergei and Yelena got married and began a family.
An Engineer Gets Wings
Due to the success of his first mission, he began training and preparing for this second trip. This time, the mission would take five months. It was vital that the mission be completed within the given time because danger loomed if it was prolonged.
May 19th, 1991 — an important day in Sergei’s life and space travel. On that day, two astronauts joined Sergei as they began their mission. Since the mission was expected to last only five months, none of the astronauts had been trained for overstaying.
Every person who has heard the classic song “Rocket Man” must have wondered what it is truly like to be an astronaut, spending countless hours in space. While most of us can only imagine what it would be like, there’s one man who has experienced life as a real spaceman for 300 days. Sergei Krikalev is proof that not all heroes have their feet squarely on the ground.