Vladimir Solovyov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, cosmonaut and flight director of the Russian segment of the ISS, has been appointed the new general designer of the Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia. This was reported on Friday, November 12, by the RIA Novosti news agency.
The decision on the appointment was made in the office of Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, who oversees the activities of the Military-Industrial Commission of Russia.
Solovyov has been in space twice and spent 361 days, 22 hours and 49 minutes in Earth orbit. In addition, he went into outer space eight times, spending a total of 31 hours and 29 minutes there.
His career was also marked by a unique interorbital flight from the Mir orbital station to the Salyut station, where he transported scientific equipment.
The previous general designer for the manned program, Yevgeny Mikrin, died in May 2020 from a coronavirus infection in a hospital in Kommunarka. He was 64 years old.
After that, Nikolai Sevastyanov was appointed acting general designer, but after that he moved to the position of adviser to the General director of Roscosmos. Instead, this position was taken by Igor Ozar, who previously headed the Sukhoi Design Bureau.
Energia is the main organization for the creation and operation of the Russian segment of the ISS and manned cosmonautics. The Corporation is also engaged in the manufacture and launch of Progress cargo ships and Soyuz manned ships.
