The message reads, in part:
“Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Valery Bykovsky was a great representative of the first, iconic cosmonaut corps and a person of exceptional courage and will. Over the years of loyal duty to the Fatherland he added colourful pages to the history of space exploration as well as the history of Russia. He has rightfully earned a great reputation and respect.”
Pilot-cosmonaut, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Colonel Valery Bykovsky passed away on March 27 at the age of 84.
In 1960, Valery Bykovsky became a member of the first cosmonaut squad. He took his first flight aboard Vostok 5 in June 1963. The five-day mission was carried out together with Vostok 6 flown by Valentina Tereshkova. Valery Bykovsky’s second mission, as commander of Soyuz 22, lasted eight days and took place in September 1976. During his third mission, Valery Bykovsky flew to the Salyut 6 orbital station as commander of Soyuz 31 along with Sigmund Jaehn (Germany) in August-September 1978. The flight lasted eight days.