Vladimir Vasyutin

Vladimir Vladimirovich Vasyutin (Russian: Влaдимиp Bлaдимиpoвич Васютин; 8 March 1952 19 July 2002) was a Soviet cosmonaut.

He was selected as a cosmonaut on 1 December 1978 (TsPK-6). He retired on 25 February 1986. Although he was originally scheduled to have a six-month stay aboard Salyut 7, his illness (which he had concealed from doctors before the launch) forced the crew to make an emergency return to Earth after only two months.

Vasyutin graduated from Higher Air Force School and from Test Pilot School, both in Kharkov. He was a Lieutenant General in the Soviet Air Forces and took cosmonaut basic training in August 1976. He retired for medical reasons. He later became Deputy Faculty Chief, VVA – Gagarin Air Force Academy, Monino.

He was married and had two children. He died of cancer.

Awards and honors

Hero of the Soviet Union Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Order of Honour (Russian Federation) Order of Lenin Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" (USSR) Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" (Russian Federation Defence Ministry) Medal "Brotherhood in Arms" (Polish People's Republic)