HYDERABAD: Mikhail Kornienko has been on two expeditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It’s hard to believe that when you meet him. As one of the most accomplished cosmonauts of his time, you’d perhaps expect him to feel entitled and even smug. The Russian cosmonaut, better known for his second trip (ISS Year Long mission) for the Expedition 23/24 project in 2015-16 – a mission along with US cosmonaut Scott Kelly for a whole year (the longest period a human has been in space continuously), is anything but.
The expedition was an experiment to test how the human body adapts and reacts to the harsh environment of space, a preparation for future expeditions. Recently in Chennai as part of the Rosatom Science Festival, he speaks to CE about his experiences on the station, his spacewalk attempt and what he missed most about Earth.
Describe your first experience going to space?
Ah, that’s a difficult question to answer. Once you fly out of the gravitational force, once you’re into orbit - you’re in space. The first time I saw the Earth as a blue sphere with a thin layer of atmosphere, it was amazing. Once you enter orbit though, there’s a lot of technical work to be taken care of immediately as protocol...and there’s not really enough time to assess the feeling.
What is life like aboard the ISS?
As part of the experiment, each day, we would get mails from various countries - from Japan, US, China, Russia etc - to perform several tasks. There is a fixed timeline for the entire day. I would be up by 6 am and sleep around 10-ish. We would also have video conferences with all ground stations.
How much has changed since the 20th century ‘Space Race’ between the US and Russia?
There is an obvious change from that - a solid example being the existence of an International Space Station. It is the epitome of co-operation, which is the level of co-operation we should try to achieve even on earth. I have only good memories from there.Working with Scott Kelly for a whole year must have forged a deep bond between you both.We’re great friends. We would conduct tests on each other - like checking eye pressure, blood tests, etc. That’s how much we trust each other.
We’ve only seen exciting parts about living in non-gravity in movies. Tell us the other side - the challenges and difficulties.
It’s not fun! Fun is bungee jumping, or paragliding! But this is a real job with a lot of work involved. It’s stressful, not simple in psychological terms - even sailors have it better. At least they have the gravitational pull. (Laughs)
How did you feel when you were selected for the year-long mission?
It was not easy. My wife started to cry when she came to know. But at the end of the day, it’s my job to do it. I also realised that I will be missing my 50th anniversary, which is in a way good, I saved a lot of money.
What’s your view on the famous conspiracy - that Americans never really landed on the moon?
Ah, no, I don’t believe it’s a conspiracy. I believe they did land on the moon. (Laughs)
Describe your almost seven-hour spacewalking experience during the Expedition 23/24 in 2010?
It was absolutely terrifying. I’m not going to make a James Bond out of myself. (Laughs). No parachute-jumper will like to use a broken parachute - it’s a similar feeling! Two connecting pipes tethered me to the station, and though we had prepared for this underwater, it wasn’t the same thing. I also vaguely remember accidentally losing an unidentified object that floated away from our perch outside the ISS. (Laughs)
Your view on space tourism?
We cosmonauts trained seven years to get into space - and tourists just need $50 million to do the same! (Laughs) But yes, I’m not against space tourism in any way. It’s a boost to the space industry, in fact. The only problem is when they get to the space station and start touching things, we need to shoo them away!
What was the first thing you did after returning back from your year-long expedition?
I kissed my wife. (Smiles)
Did you dream of becoming a cosmonaut when you were young?
My father was commander of the search team for earlier missions to space. I used to dream of space from childhood, and now, I’m happy to say that I’m living the dream.
After exploring space, is there any space on Earth you would like to explore?
Ah, India! I am overwhelmed by the warm hospitality.
Select photos by Romani Agarwal