The training of the cosmonauts to the first space flight was performed from March 16, 1960 up to April 12, 1961.
The training program for the cosmonaut – students elaborated by the State Scientific, Research and Test Institute of space and flight surgery and GCTC, was approved by the Air Force Command and the chairman of the Multilateral Scientific and Technical Council of the Academy of Sciences.
TRAINING PROGRAM
- Complex of special medical examinations, tests and training that comprised:
1. Pressure chamber training "at heights":2. Centrifuge training:
- 5-6 km
- 14-15 km
3. Training on staying alone for long time (10 to 15 days) in silence cabinet or pressure chamber.
- frequentative – from 3 to 8g load for up to 40 sec "head-waist" direction;
- 7 times – from 7 to 12 g load for up to 13 min "chest-back" direction:
4. Familiarization and actual training in the thermal chamber at +70oC for 30 min - 2 hours.
5. Vibration stand training:6. Parabolic flights training (simulation of micro gravity conditions).
- vertical vibration f-50 Hz
- amplitude – 0.5 mm
7. Parachute training.- General physical training
- Vostok –3A training flow
- Special theory preparation (extra general technical studies) included:
Vostok-3A design training was performed at #1 Construction Test company of the Defense Industry State Commission.The practical training occurred at the training mockup in the Flight Test Institute of the Aviation Industry Ministry.
- rocket and space technics;
- Vostok-3A design;
- space and air medicine, life support in space flight;
- special astronomy course;
- special geophysics course;
- special shooting course.
UTI Mig-15 jet was used for parabolic flights. As the parachute training they were performed at the Air Force Scientific Test Institute. Before the launch there were training and consultations on Vostok-3A and its systems. The experts of the Academy of Sciences of USSR provided the theory classes.
Exams and tests
Under the training schedule at the end of the mission training the certain exams to be conducted. Yuriy A. Gagarin showed the following results:
Subjects Grades 1.Marxian-Lenin philosophy course Excellent 2. Space and air medicine basics Passed 3. Rocket and space technics Excellent 4.Vostok-3A design Passed 5.Special astronomy course Excellent 6.Special geophysics course Good 7.Special shooting course Excellent Practical training:
Subjects Grades General physical training Good Parachute training Good Special flights/ parabolic Good ¹ 1object mock up Passed ¹ 2 object mock up Passed Special tests:
Special tests: Grades Pressure chamber Good resistance Thermal chamber Centrifuge Vibration stand Long duration loneliness
