On March 22, 1995, a record-free cosmone-cosmonaut-researcher, Valery Polyakova, was completed on the duration of the space flight, which he made a “Union TM-18” and the Orbital Complex “Peace”. This expedition risky in all respects took place on the initiative of Valery Polyakova himself. Its flight began on January 8, 1994 and lasted 437 days 18 hours – the absolute record of the duration of work in space in one flight, which is not surpassed so far.
It was the second flight in the career of the cosmonaut, and he already understood how difficulties would have to face. The main task of Valery Polyakova was to prove that with due medical support and the physical training program, a person is able to work in conditions of weightlessness and withstand negative cosmic factors during even such an overweight expedition.
Cosmonaut by profession and the doctor on the vocation Valery Polyakov worked on new methods of medical support for long expeditions. Being at the Mir station, Cosmonaut’s doctor followed the program developed by scientists from the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems. The work in orbit contributed to a special medical and biological laboratory, which allowed not only to conduct scientific experiments, but also preventive measures aimed at maintaining physical activity. Cosmonaut regularly performed intensive medical exercises, wore special costumes “Penguin” and “Chibis”, took ultraviolet baths, observed a special diet.
was very important to the moment of the return of the astronaut home, namely the after-flight rehabilitation period. Valery Vladimirovich experienced and proved the effectiveness of a program for maintaining the health of cosmonauts in long flight and after flight rehabilitation. Floating a year and a half in weightlessness, the cosmonaut’s doctor not only adapted very quickly to the earthly strength, but also continued to work actively, engaged in medical support of the crews of the International Space Station. During the flight of Polyakova in 1994-1995, the orbital complex “Peace” overcame the distance of 280 million kilometers. This under certain conditions would be enough for an expedition to Mars.