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Where It's At
Star City, home of the Russian space programme is located
outside Moscow in Zvezdnyy Gorodok. In Russia, it is
known as the 'Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre' in honour
of the first human in space and was created in 1960. Every
cosmonaut since Gagarin has trained in Star City, which was
once a top secret location. |
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Ian Wright prepares for lift off
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Life on Mars
The cosmonauts spend approximately 30 weeks at Star City,
where they learn about Russian-built systems, from the electrical
power supply to the communications system, and also go through
a gruelling period of survival training. They are sent to
remote areas, such as the desert or tundra snow belts. While
there, they are expected to use minimal emergency supplies
and self-defence skills to build their own shelter, start
a fire and prepare food. The exercises also strengthen the
bonds of camaraderie and teamwork.
From the outside, the home of the cosmonauts looks like a
housing development at the end of a tree-lined back road.
Compared to NASA's setting in Houston, it's positively pastoral,
but the military sentry reminds you that Star City is no ordinary
suburb. In 1960, the whole housing of Star City consisted
of two five-storey buildings, whilst today, 10 000 people
working in Star City have all the necessary living comforts.
Russia's Mir Space Station has been in orbit since
1986 and an exact replica of the space ship can be seen at
Star City, it gives you an idea of what life in space must
have been like for the cosmonauts.
Walking on the Moon
Since the station has opened up to the world since the collapse
of Communism, visitors can grab their own slice of space life.
A popular but expensive experience in Star City is a voyage
into Zero Gravity. Zero gravity experience is recreated
in a special training jet, used to prepare cosmonauts for
space travel. At 33,000 ft, the engines are powered back and
the plane plummets to earth causing everyone inside to experience
zero gravity up to 30 seconds at a time, initially under the
force of 2G, before you begin to float around in 'free fall'
- as if you were walking on the moon! There is also a gigantic
centrifuge which is used for spinning purposes and an area
where cosmonauts are trained to space walk under certain environmental
conditions. The sensation itself lasts about 30 seconds at
a time, and at a cost of around $4,000 dollars, it could be
the most expensive but inspirational moment of your life! |
