Cosmonaut pair in salute to ‘unique’ space museum

Dec 5 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A COSMONAUT and Russian space engineer have proclaimed Wirral’s space museum “unique” after a visit to the Seacombe Ferry attraction.

The two were given a guided tour and later met children to answer questions about space.

Alexander Volkov and Alexander Martynov have both played key roles in the Russian space programme and travelled extensively across Europe and America, but could not help but have their photographs taken with Star Wars’ Chewbacca which is part of the current sci-fi exhibition.

Both men said they were “amazed” by the centre.

Alexander Volkov has flown on several flights, including one to Mir, during the 1980s and 1990s. He was awarded the rank of Hero of the Soviet Union and Space Pilot of the USSR, Order of Lenin, Order of October Revolution, and the Golden Star medal.

He said: “This will encourage young people – maybe some would like to become astronauts or engineers and create spacecraft.

“We have visited many space centres in Europe and the USA but they are not as attractive as you have here. This is unique.” They also spotted a flight suit used by one of their colleagues hanging on display, and joked that he was now too big to fit into it.

The suit was bought by Spaceport from an auction at Christies, and was used by Vladimir Lyakhov on his final mission to the Russian space station Mir on August 29, 1988.

Both men said they wanted to bring their grandchildren to visit the centre, and Alexander Martynov, who worked in the Russian Mission Control Centre from 1968 until 1992 as Head of Ballistics, said it was “very well created and fascinating, fun and educational too”.

The men met schoolchildren from Egremont primary school in Wallasey and Pleasant Street primary school in Liverpool.

Councillor Ron Abbey, a member of Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority, led the two Russians on a guided tour.

Afterwards he said: “Spaceport is great because it is always reinventing itself.”

Spaceport manager Ken Moss said: “This will be a day to remember. Very few children get an opportunity to speak to a real Russian cosmonaut.

“It’s a great coup for Spaceport to be able to host this visit. Both of these cosmonauts have vast experience of space and space travel. This visit backs up what Spaceport is all about; it is both educational and enjoyable.”

liammurphy