Happy birthday, cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov!

Pavel Vinogradov, born August 31, 1953 in Magadan in the former Soviet Union, is a veteran of three space flights.

His first flight was aboard Soyuz TM-26 as flight engineer to the space station Mir in August 1997.  He remained on board for almost 198 days before returning to Earth in February 1998.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-8 as commander to the International Space Station in March 2006.  He participated in Expedition 13 and conducted 2 EVAs.  He returned to Earth in September after almost 181 days.

His third flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-08M as commander to the ISS in March 2013.  He participated in Expeditions 35 and 36.  He stayed aboard for over 166 days before returning to Earth in September 2013.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev!

Anatoly Solovyev, born January 16, 1948 in the former Soviet Union, is a veteran of five space flights and holds the world record for number of spacewalks performed, sixteen.

His first mission was aboard Soyuz TM-5 to he space station Mir as part of expedition Mir EP-2 in June 1988. He spent about 10 days before returning to Earth Soyuz TM-4.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TM-9 in February 1990 as part of Expedition Mir EO-6.  He remained aboard until August 1990. He conducted two EVAs to effect repairs.

His third flight was aboard Soyuz TM-15 to Mir in July 1992 as part of expedition Mir EO-12.  Solovyev conducted four EVAs.  He returned to Earth in February 1993.

Solovyev's fourth flight was aboard Atlantis (STS-71) as mission specialist to Mir in June 1995. He was part of expedition Mir EO-19.  During the mission, he conducted three EVAs.  He returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-21 in September 1995.

His fifth and final fligh was aboard Soyuz TM-26 to Mir in August 1997 as part of expedition Mir EO-24.  He conducted seven EVAs to set the record at sixteen. He returned to Earth in February 1998.

Soyuz TM-26 launched 1997

Soyuz TM-26 crew (L-R): Anatoly Solovyev, Pavel Vinogradov

Soyuz TM-26 patch

Soyuz TM-26, launched August 5, 1997, was the 32nd expedition to Mir. Its crew consisted of Commander Anatoly Solovyev and Pavel Vinogradov.  They docked with Mir on August 7 and effected repairs on the station, such as repairing power cables and harnesses, and repairing and replacing oxygen generators. 

The returned to Earth February 19, 1998 with French cosmonaut Leopold Eyharts.