Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina. Biography

On July 14, the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Soyuz MS-29 manned spacecraft successfully launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome. On board the spacecraft are Roscosmos cosmonauts Peter Dubrov and Anna Kikina, as well as NASA astronaut Anil Menon. For Kikina, a Hero of Russia and the only woman in the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad, this is her second space flight. About her life and professional path — in the material of Izvestia.

Childhood and youth

Anna Yurievna Kikina was born on August 27, 1984 in Novosibirsk. She graduated from the local secondary school No. 29, which had a defense and sports profile. Since childhood, Anna has been engaged in caving, participated in hikes and competitions.

In 2006, she graduated with honors from the Novosibirsk State Academy of Water Transport with a degree in Emergency Protection, qualifying as a hydraulic engineer. In 2008, she received her second higher education there, specializing in Economics and Management at an enterprise (transport) with the qualification of an economist-manager.

In 2005, she also completed courses at the Ministry of Emergency Situations, receiving a rescue certificate and becoming an instructor in teaching the population the basics of first aid.

The path to cosmonauts

Prior to joining the cosmonaut corps, Anna Kikina worked as a program director at Radio Siberia Altai LLC. In 2012, she became a participant in the first open competition for selection to the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad. According to its results, she was recommended for admission to the position of candidate for test cosmonauts.

From 2012 to 2014, she completed a general space training course. During this time, she learned how to fly an L-39 aircraft, skydived, underwent zero gravity training aboard an IL-76MDK laboratory aircraft, tests in a sign language chamber, diving training, and survival training in various climatic zones. From 2014 to 2021, she was trained in the specialization and improvement group for Soyuz spacecraft and the Russian segment of the ISS.

In 2017, Anna Kikina took part in the SIRIUS international isolation experiment, simulating a manned flight to the moon. During the experiment, a simulation of the docking of a promising Russian spacecraft with an upper stage was carried out, remote control of the lunar rover was simulated using a virtual reality helmet, and costumes for the new spacecraft were tested.

The first space flight: Crew Dragon

In 2021, the Roscosmos State Corporation and NASA signed an agreement on the cross-flight of integrated crews on Russian and American manned spacecraft. Anna Kikina was included in the crew of Crew-5.

It launched on October 5, 2022 on the American private reusable spacecraft Crew Dragon of SpaceX as part of the crew of the SpaceX Crew-5 mission. Anna Kikina became the first Russian female cosmonaut to fly on an American manned spacecraft. During the 157-day expedition to the ISS, she successfully completed the flight program.

Recognition and titles

For her courage and heroism during a long-term space flight, Anna Kikina was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation with the Gold Star Medal by Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin dated April 3, 2024. In the same year, she received the title of pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation.

Kikina is the 592nd cosmonaut in the world and the 129th professional cosmonaut of the USSR./Of Russia. She is the fifth female cosmonaut of the USSR./Since September 2016, she has been the only woman in the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad. Kikina is also an honorary citizen of Novosibirsk. In 2021, the Barbie brand released a doll in her image — Barbie the cosmonaut.

New flight: Soyuz MS-29

Kikina went into space for the second time on July 14. As part of the crew of the 75th long-term expedition to the International Space Station, she performs the duties of a flight engineer. The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Soyuz MS-29 manned spacecraft took place from site No. 31 of the Baikonur cosmodrome.

The flight to the ISS follows a two-turn approach pattern and will take 3 hours and 8 minutes. It is expected that the ship will dock with the Berth module of the Russian segment of the station. The orbital mission will last more than 260 days.