Anna Kikina, the only woman in the Russian cosmonaut corps, returned from the International Space Station on March 12. She was the first Russian to fly to the ISS on the American SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. In an interview with correspondent Pavel Zyuzin, Kikina spoke about how the preparations for the flight to the United States took place, what «space» traditions the astronauts observe, how the emergency situation with the Soyuz MS-22 affected the state of the station's crew, and also about her future plans. br />— This was your first space flight. How are the impressions? Did the cosmos turn out to be the way you imagined it?
– I have been preparing for it for a long time, ten years. My impressions are just wonderful, full of bright colors and emotions. My expectations were justified and even embellished when I experienced it in reality, saw, felt and simply realized in space everything that I had been preparing for on Earth for so long.
– How did you prepare for the flight to the USA? Are trainings different from Russian ones?
– Trainings in the USA differ from Russian ones in that they are held on American models and simulators. Their specialists train our cosmonauts and representatives of the profession from other countries to work on the American segment, as well as actions in emergency situations.
If we talk about the Dragon ship, then the preparation was carried out in exactly the same way: on the model of the ship we were trained by SpaceX specialists. It's all very much like Soyuz training, only with fewer tasks because the Dragon is more automated.
– Everyone knows that Russian cosmonauts must watch the White Sun of the Desert movie before flying. Do astronauts have their own superstitions and traditions?
— There is such a tradition in NASA — after the entire training cycle, before the crew leaves for the flight, the so-called «cake ceremony» is appointed. On this day, a huge beautiful cake with the emblem of the crew is made, specialists and other employees are invited to ensure the operation of the simulators and, in general, the entire training of the crew. Astronauts and cosmonauts say thanks to the staff, everyone who provided them with training, and all together eat a piece of cake, talking in a pleasant environment.
– How did you meet your American colleagues? Did the political situation affect relations within the ISS crew?
– The political situation did not affect the work in the crew and the general interaction within the crew.
– Previously, you participated in the SIRIUS research project. Was the experience of the experiment on the ISS useful?
– Yes, of course, in this experiment, as much as possible, the conditions of space flight are simulated. I perceive participation in the SIRIUS project as my first, let's say, training ground flight.
– How the ISS crew survived two emergency situations: depressurization of the Soyuz MS-22 manned transport spacecraft and the Progress MS-21 truck «?
— Two emergency situations that happened on board did not particularly affect our psychological state. Of course, we were surprised, of course, we were upset that this was happening, but we realigned and began to act, refocusing on further changes, and working in coordination with the ground control center.
— Like your colleagues, Frank Rubio , Dmitry Petelin and Sergei Prokopiev accepted the news that they would have to stay on the ISS for another six months?
— Of course, in connection with the current situation, the guys were surprised. They did not plan for this to happen, but we astronauts belong to one ship or another and adjust accordingly to changing circumstances. The guys just reorganized, understanding the whole development of the situation. -1860113115.html» data->
– Did the temperature increase on the ISS before additional ventilation was carried out in the damaged Soyuz MS-22?– The emergency situation that occurred in the Soyuz did not affect the temperature change in the Russian segment of the ISS in any way.
– Have all the experiments on the ISS been completed successfully? Which one do you remember the most?
– Yes, I can say that all those experiments that fell on my work were carried out successfully, efficiently and with high quality. I like many of them. For example, the «Splanch» experiment, when we work with an ultrasound device. We filmed each other's abdominal organs and blood vessels so that specialists on Earth could see how space flight factors affect the digestive system.
— Russian and Soviet women made no more than two space flights. What are your future plans? Are you going to be the first among Russians to fly into orbit three times?
– As such, I have no goal of becoming the first among Russians, breaking the record. It is important for me to continue my activity as an astronaut, to fulfill my professional duties and to do it with pleasure. What results I can achieve, let's see, as long as I intend to continue my work.
March 22, 13:08
– Would you like to go into outer space?
– Yes, of course, this is an interesting, unique experience. I am certified to work in open space and I will be very happy if it is planned for me under the expedition program.