Musabayev graduated from Engineering Institute of Civil Aviation in Riga in 1974. Then in 1983 he graduated from Higher Military Aviation School in Akhtubinsk, with an engineering diploma. Musabayev received several awards as an aerobatic flyer and was selected as a cosmonaut on 11 May 1990. In 1991, he was appointed to Major and transferred to the cosmonaut group of Air Force.
Cosmonaut career
Musabayev was selected to be a cosmonaut on 11 May 1990.
His first spaceflight was as a crew member of the long-duration mission Mir EO-16, which was launched and landed by the spacecraft Soyuz TM-19. Musabayev was designated Flight Engineer; the mission lasted from 1 July 1994 to 4 November 1994, for a total duration of 125 days 22 hours 53 minutes.
His second spaceflight was as Commander of another long-duration expedition called Mir EO-25, which was launched by the spacecraft Soyuz TM-27. The mission lasted from 29 January 1998 to 25 August 25, 1998.
His third mission was as Commander of ISS EP-1, which was a visiting mission to the International Space Station. It was launched by Soyuz TM-32, and was landed by Soyuz TM-31 on 6 May 2001, for a total duration of 7 days 22 hours 4 minutes. This visiting mission was notable for carrying the first ever paying space tourist Dennis Tito. , he was among the top 30 cosmonauts by time in space.
Hero of the Russian Federation – for active participation in the preparation and successful implementation of lengthy space flight on the orbital scientific research complex Mir, displaying courage and heroism
Order of Friendship of Peoples – for active participation in preparation for space flight on the orbital scientific research complex Mir, a great contribution to strengthening mutual understanding, friendship and trust between the peoples of the Soviet Union and the Republic of Austria
Officer of the Legion of Honour – for services to the exploration of space and, in particular, that the large space program in France during the second 208-day space flight in 1998, and effective strategic partnership with France at the head of Kazkosmos
