Yuriy Lonchakov

Yuriy Lonchakov

•    Hero of Russia
•    Cosmonaut of Russia
•    Head of Cosmonaut Corps (Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center) 
Lonchakov was originally selected to be a Flight Engineer on Expedition 19, but was transferred to the Expedition 18 crew as a Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander, after Salizhan Sharipov was removed from the crew. The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft with Lonchakov, Expedition 18 commander Michael Fincke and space tourist Richard Garriott launched on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 7:01 UTC. While Richard Garriott was aboard, Lonchakov participated during his personal time (along with Michael Fincke, Gregory Chamitoff and Richard Garriott) in filming and starring in the APOGEE OF FEAR the first ever science-fiction movie made in space. One of the creators of the Hubble 3D film (imax.com/hubble).
Lonchakov returned to Earth on April 8, 2009.
Responsible for piloting Douglas DC-3.

Gallery

Line of business:  Cosmonaut, Pilot / Russia