Viktor Gorbatko

Viktor Gorbatko (December 3, 1934 - May 17, 2017) was an astronaut, aircraft pilot, and politician. Born in Krasnodar Krai, Gorbatko was a citizen of both the Soviet Union and Russia. He was educated at the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.

Gorbatko was the child of Vasili Pavlovich and Matrena Aleksandrovna Gorbatko. He was awarded numerous honors throughout his life, including Hero of the Soviet Union, Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, Order of Lenin, Order of Friendship, Order of the Red Star, Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Soviet Militia", Order of the Red Banner, Hero of Socialist Labour, Order of Sukhbaatar, Medal Brotherhood in Arms, and Order of Ho Chi Minh. Gorbatko passed away in Moscow on May 17, 2017.