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The President sent a telegram expressing his condolences to the cosmonaut’s daughter, Natalia Sevastyanova.

The President’s telegram reads, in part:

“Vitaly Sevastyanov was one of the legendary generation of pilots and cosmonauts, a talented engineer and researcher.

A brave, dedicated man, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, he did a great deal for developing our nation’s cosmonautics and aviation sector, and was actively engaged in public activities, making special efforts to promote achievements in Russian science and educate younger generations.”

Vitaly Sevastyanov conducted two space flights – in 1970 and 1975 – with a combined duration of over 80 days. He was also the author of over 200 scientific papers, as well as a number of inventions and discoveries. Mr Sevastyanov served as a State Duma deputy for four terms (1993–2007).

Vitaly Sevastyanov died on April 5, at the age of 74, after a long illness.