Vitaly Mikhailovich Zholobov
Vitaly Mikhailovich Zholobov is a retired Soviet cosmonaut, engineer, and former Ukrainian regional official whose only spaceflight was the first crewed to Salyut 5. Soyuz 21 placed him inside the military Almaz station program at one of its most intense operational moments.
- Born
- June 18, 1937
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- Stara Zburyivka,Soviet Union
Flights
1
Spacewalks
N/A
EVA time
N/A
In space
49 days, 6 hours, 23 minutes
Bio
Zholobov came from the Soviet Air Force and held the rank of colonel-engineer. He joined the second Air Force cosmonaut group in 1963 and trained through a long period when Soviet station plans moved from early Soyuz concepts toward Salyut and Almaz missions.
Soyuz 21 launched in July 1976 with Boris Volynov and docked with Salyut 5. The crew carried out military-focused observation work, station engineering tests, scientific experiments, and operations tied to the Almaz reconnaissance-station program.
The mission ended early after problems aboard the station, including reports of an acrid odor and concern over crew health. Zholobov did not fly again, later leaving the program and serving in Ukrainian regional government.