Yelena Kondakova

Life and career Kondakova was born in Mytishchi in the Moscow Oblast of Russia, but grew up near Kaliningrad, Moscow Oblast, with an older brother. In 1973 she graduated from high school in Kaliningrad. In 1980 she graduated from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where she specialized in production of aircraft. Kondakova's parents both worked at Energia, and her father was concerned about her taking on role as cosmonaut because he was well aware of the dangers involved. She was engaged in the long-term planning of space flights and training personnel to work in emergencies, worked on implementing scientific projects and experiments, and carried out research. In 1982–1985, she was a member of the flight control group of the Salyut 7 space station.

She married fellow cosmonaut Valeri Ryumin in 1985 and has one daughter with him. From 1999 to 2003, she was a Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the 3rd Convocation from the Fatherland - All Russia party. From 2003 to 2011, she was Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the 4th and 5th convocations from the United Russia party. In 2006 she graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

On 16 August 2011, Kondakova announced her withdrawal from United Russia due to her disagreement with the results of the August intra-party elections.

From 27 March 2012 to 2018, Kondakova was a Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Switzerland.

Space statistics Launch ship Start, UTC Expedition Landing ship Landing, UTC Time spent Spacewalks Time in outer space 1 Soyuz TM-20 03/10/1994, 22:42 Soyuz TM-20, Mir-17 Soyuz TM-20 22/03/1995, 04:03 169 days, 5 hours, 21 minutes 0 0 1 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-84 15/05/1997, 08:07 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-84, Mir Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-84 24/05/1997, 13:27 9 days, 5 hours, 19 minutes 0 0 178 days, 10 hours, 41 minutes 0 0

Honors Hero of the Russian Federation