Special Lecture by Cosmonaut Ivan Vagner at ASU Celebrating Space Week in Russia

Adyghe State University, in collaboration with the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, organized a special lecture by Cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation Ivan Vagner for Russia's inaugural Space Week. This event was part of the popular science project "Science Around. Discoveries Continue."

Ivan Vagner has completed two missions to the International Space Station, accumulating a total of 416 days, 3 hours, and 16 minutes in orbit. He also conducted a spacewalk lasting 7 hours and 17 minutes and became the first person in the world to defend a master's thesis while in low Earth orbit.

During his lecture, Vagner shared insights into how he chose his career path, his daily life aboard the ISS, the scientific challenges currently being addressed in space, and the future of cosmonautics. He also offered valuable advice to young people aspiring to work in the space industry. The lecture revealed fascinating details about living and working in zero gravity, including how cosmonauts eat, sleep, exercise, what they wear, and how they manage conflicts and prevent burnout during extended missions in orbit.

The lecture is available for viewing on the project's VKontakte channel. Additionally, the university will host an open screening of the lecture for everyone. This event will take place on April 9th at 9:00 AM in Room 305a, named after A.K. Yachikov, in the main building. Attendees will also gain insights into knowledge that is valuable for those interested in a career in space. Moreover, they will receive recommendations for other lectures covering topics such as astronomy, meteorites, the Moon race, and the challenges of living in zero gravity.

Space Week is being celebrated in Russia for the first time, following a decree issued by President Vladimir Putin. The event will run until Cosmonautics Day, observed on April 12, and is set to become an annual tradition. The primary aim of Space Week is to promote the achievements of Russian space exploration and strengthen the prestige of space-related professions. Throughout these days, themed events will be held nationwide, and schools will host discussions and lessons focused on space science.

The "Science Around. Discoveries Continue" project is also underway, supported by a grant from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, as part of the Decade of Science and Technology initiative.