Product Description

With the aid of unique photographs, first-hand interviews and historical resources, Rex Hall, Dave Shayler and Bert Vis explain, for the very first time, how Russian citizens have been selected and trained to fly in space, and how these procedures have changed during the past 40 years. The authors also describe the evolution of the often overlooked ground support infrastructure and how the role of cosmonauts has changed from the very earliest days of the Gagarin era, through the demise of the Soviet Union, to the era of international co-operation and collaboration on programmes such as the International Space Station.

The book will provide much important background information and insight to the operational Soviet/Russian manned space programme, already covered in other Springer-Praxis titles, but revealing information and facts not covered elsewhere, and providing a unique reference source for all those who wish to understand the changing role of Russian cosmonauts in today’s global space programme.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #898222 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 386 pages

Review

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 Information, Vol. 31 (9), 2006)

"There was a time when the Russian space effort was shrouded in the utmost secrecy. … But Hall, Shayler and Vis leave no detail to the imagination. Cosmonaut squads, simulation rooms and accommodation buildings are all listed, and their histories explained. There’s a good index too – Russia’s Cosmonauts is remarkable for its depth of research. … this is a highly reliable book for reference purposes. … You must definitely put this in your library if you’re a serious space fan … ." (Piers Bizony, BBC Focus, April, 2006)

"It is the result of a tremendous amount of research, and the authors have been able to visit Star City … where the cosmonauts are trained, as well as others who have been to the Russian space stations. … The reference lists are excellent. This is essentially a book for specialists. … to the serious researcher it will be an invaluable work of reference." (Patrick Moore, BBC Sky at Night, February, 2006)

"The authors explore how Russian citizens have been selected for spaceflight and how the process has evolved in the past forty years. They are well-versed in this sub-genre of spaceflight literature, having followed the Soviet space programme for many years, and this book is a valuable addition to the field. … The book is illustrated with black-and-white photographs and line drawings, and is well referenced. … This book represents an important addition to the ‘ongoing documentary’ of manned spaceflight." (www.satellite-evolution.com, May/June, 2007)

Customer Reviews

The Story of an Unknown Part of Space History
One of the great changes that has come about since the collapse of the Soviet Union is access to formerly secret facilities and operations. For this book the Russians allowed unprecedented access to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (TsPK in Russia). Here is a description of everything from the selection process, through training, equipment, and the ground support infrastructure even down to tennis courts. Surprising to see, is the photograph of the offices assigned to NASA as part of the international cooperation now in effect.

To anyone who has followed the United States space program, this book provides a view into an aspect of the development of space that hasn't been seen before. In many cases the Russian efforts were similar to those of the United States. In other cases, there were decided differences. Perhaps in the future, the combined history of the developmnent of space will be documented, but not yet. This is the story of one little known side.

As I read this book I was reminded of the competition aspects of the space race as depicted in 'The Right Stuff.'

Cosmic Detective Work
The detailed insights in this landmark description of Russia's manned space team provide plenty of hints about just how hard it was for the authors to extract all of this information over many years. The three authors and their associates ran an international free-lance 'research team' that crumb by crumb, rumor by rumor, fact by fact assembled a coherent story BEHIND the official stories of 'space heroes'. Instead, we have something infinitely better -- cosmonauts (and would-be cosmonauts) as genuine human beings, struggling with challenges never before faced in human history (and with some challenges as old as humanity), trusting these foreign visitors enough to open their hearts (and their scrapbooks) to them. Some tales are glorious, some tragic, some unfair, some comic. But thanks to this book, and the people who created it, the world has access to the human face of 'manned space flight' in Russia. AND -- by the way, many Westerners will be using this book not merely for idle curiosity, or the 'thrill of the fact hunt', but for actual preparation to follow in the footsteps charted here, and to go to 'Star City', to take part in cosmonaut training, and even -- some of you readers -- actually fly into space alongside Russian cosmonauts. This book will give an enormous 'leg up' on that process -- so buy it now, or buy it and give it to a friend considering such a project. And always keep in mind that new information is being gathered, evaluated, and issued by these and other 'space sleuths'.

Jim Oberg
[...]

Master work on the Soviet/Russian space programme
Until the publication of this book, there could have been few people in the world who were as well-informed on the Soviet/Russian space programme and their headquarters in Star City as the three authors of this superb book: and that includes many of the Russian participants of the programme themselves.
Between the three of them, authors Hall, Vis and Shayler have visited Star City almost thirty times stretching back to the very first days of Glasnost. During their visits, the authors were given access to parts of Star City previously unseen by outsiders and they befriended many cosmonauts and key space programme workers. This book is the result of these friendships, their unparalleled access and their diligent research.
Hall, Vis and Shayler are long-time observors of the Soviet/Russian space programme and have written and contributed to many of the key books published on the subject over the past decade as well as numerous magazine articles. For the first time ever, this book gathers much of their research and efforts into one volume.
For anyone interested in the Russian space programme, this is the definitive overview. The level of detail is staggering, yet it is presented in a highly-readable and understandable manner. The book is copiously illustrated with dozens of photographs, the majority of which are published for the first time and many of which show places, events or individuals never before seen. The book contains tables of information of interest to novice and veteran space programme observors alike, and is filled with fascinating anecdotes and footnotes never before reported.

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the Soviet/Russian space programme and can not be recommended highly enough!