Yuri Gidzenko is a Russian cosmonaut born on December 24, 1962. He has completed multiple spaceflights, including missions to the Mir space station and the International Space Station (ISS). Gidzenko is known for his role as a flight engineer and commander during these missions, contributing to various scientific experiments and international cooperation in space exploration. Throughout his career, Gidzenko has logged over 550 days in space, making him one of the most experienced astronauts. He was part of the first long-duration crew on the ISS, helping to establish its operational capabilities. His contributions have significantly advanced human understanding of living and working in space.