Gennadi Mikhailovich Kolesnikov

In October/November 1965, the so-called "Young Guards" group was selected, with 22 men reporting to Star Town. All were young pilots and military engineers, (plus one military doctor - Degtyarov). It is believed that the Soviets had decided to see what results could be achieved by choosing an especially young group of men in preparation for the forthcoming Soyuz program. The identities of most of the unflown cosmonauts were only revealed in late 1989, nearly 24 years after they had been selected. Very few of this men actually made a spaceflight, only 4 pilots: Kizim, Klimuk, Sarafanov and Zudov,and 2 engineers: Glazkov and Rozhdestvenky. Kolesnikov was not one of the elected ones, just like Belousov or Lisun. Above: two signed covers (one inscribed) from Gennady Kolesnikov.

Graduated from Higher Air Force School of Engineering with a candidate of technical sciences degree, 1966; doctorate of military sciences degree, 1989; Colonel, Soviet Air Force, Ret.; was selected as cosmonaut on 23.10.1965 (TsPK-3); OKP (cosmonaut basic training): 11/65 - 12/67; retired of medical reasons; later he worked at Gagarin-Center; currently research scientist and professor at Air Force Academy, Monino; he is the author of more than 220 scientific papers.