Anna Kikina

Anna Kikina
Анна Кикина
Kikina in 2021
Born (1984-08-27) 27 August 1984 (age 40)
Novosibirsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
StatusActive
Alma materSiberian State University of Water Transport
SpouseAlexander Serdyuk
Awards
Space career
Roscosmos cosmonaut
Current occupation
Test cosmonaut
Previous occupation
Program director, Radio-Siberia Altai
Time in space
157 days, 10 hours, 1 minute
SelectionTsPK 2012 Cosmonaut Group
Missions
Mission insignia

Anna Yuryevna Kikina (Russian: Анна Юрьевна Кикина; born 27 August 1984) is a Russian engineer and cosmonaut, selected in 2012.[1] She is the only female cosmonaut currently in active service at Roscosmos.[2] She made her first flight to space in 2023 to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX Crew-5, the first Roscosmos cosmonaut to fly aboard a U.S. spacecraft since 2002. During her time on the ISS, Kikina served as a flight engineer during the long-duration Expedition 68 mission.

SpaceX Crew-5

In December 2021, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin announced she would fly on an "American commercial spacecraft" in September 2022, while a NASA astronaut would take her seat on Soyuz making her the first Russian cosmonaut to fly a Crew Dragon and the first Roscosmos cosmonaut to fly aboard a U.S. spacecraft since 2002.[3] In October 2022, the commercial flight launched as the SpaceX Crew-5 Crew Dragon.[4]

On 11 March 2023, the SpaceX Crew-5 returned to Earth after 157 days.[5] The flight lasted about 19 hours, and their capsule landed in the Gulf of Mexico.[6]

Education

Kikina graduated with honors from the Novosibirsk State Academy of Water Transportation Engineering.[7] She also earned her degree in economics and management.[8]

Personal life

Kikina was born in Novosibirsk. She worked as a tour guide in Altai region, as well as a swimming and paratrooper instructor.[8] She also worked as radio host for Radio Siberia.[9]

In spring 2021, toy manufacturer Mattel released a Barbie astronaut doll in Kikina’s image.[8]

Kikina is married to Alexander Serdyuk, a physical training instructor at the Cosmonaut Training Center.

References

  1. ^ "Russia's 2nd Post-Soviet Female Cosmonaut in Line for Space Station Mission". themoscowtimes.com. 3 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Russia's only woman cosmonaut inspires one-of-a-kind Barbie doll". collectSPACE. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Roscosmos: Anna Kikina may be Russia's first cosmonaut on U.S. Crew Dragon in 2022". TASS. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Распоряжение Правительства Российской Федерации от 10.06.2022 № 1532-р ∙ Официальное опубликование правовых актов ∙ Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации". publication.pravo.gov.ru. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  5. ^ "NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 Mission". blogs.nasa.gov. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Four astronauts fly SpaceX back home to end 5-month mission". The Associated Press. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Cosmonaut Biography: Anna Kikina". Spacefacts. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Beyond, Russia (4 October 2022). "Meet Anna Kikina - the ONLY Russian woman cosmonaut currently in active service (PHOTOS)". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  9. ^ Ryabikova, Victoria (9 July 2020). "For the first time in eight years, a Russian woman will fly to the ISS. Who is she?". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 10 October 2022.