The Soviet cosmonaut team was built over a number of years from different selection groups. These groups usually had definite patterns to them i.e. all pilots, all engineers, or all women, although there have been occasions where a selection involved a mixture of pilots and engineers.
On some occasions, particularly 1963, potential cosmonauts were actually invited to apply, rather than being called up before a selection board.
It should be noted that of the civilian engineers all seem to be senior design engineers or hold responsible jobs in the design bureau. As they have designed and built the spacecraft they intend to fly, they do not have to follow the same basic training programmes as the pilots and thus are available for assignment almost immediately after selection. After making their spaceflight, they return to the design bureau to help improve the design of current and future spacecraft. Only then do they usually become available for their next assignment.
Yak 21 Fighter Jet
Cosmonaut candidates are currently selected from groups of volunteers having extensive flying experience, as well as from a variety of other appropriate backgrounds. This includes individuals with advanced degrees in medicine, biology, engineering, and physics. The ages of these individuals usually ranges from 25 to 45 years and now includes both men and women. According to some reports, the Soviets are now training cosmonauts from even younger age groups in cosmonautic space clubs.
Rigid medical evaluation is the primary criteria for the selection of candidates. Based on general medical practices, they undergo a multi-team medical selection process.
Preliminary screening is performed on an outpatient basis by a battery of sub-specialists representing internal medicine throat medicine, endocrinology, and other medical specialities. As in any in depth physical examination, a medical history of the individual is compiled. Based on the clinical and historical data, an evaluation board recommends whether the candidate is suitable and should continue in the selection process
The second stage of the medical selection process includes extensive clinical evaluations for pathological and various intestinal tract and skeletal system diseases.
The physical examination employs up-to-date technological processes as well as various forms of complete blood cell typing. Detailed blood chemistry is performed with significant enzyme and immune parameter motor co-ordination controls, sensory reflex X-rays and electroencephalography on brain structure.
Psychological testing includes developed tests. After this an otolaryngological examination is performed including sinuses, as well as auditory and vestibular tracts. A more functional examination stresses degrees of hypoxia followed by a divet test to evaluate changes in barometric pressure. Tests of cardiac rhythm during orthostatic direction of head-toe as well as 'chest-back are evaluated. The Soviets continue to stress load-testing in the selection of cosmonaut-trainees.
Based on medical and stress testing, the evaluation board either selects the individual for cosmonaut training; postpones selection until certain physiological abnormalities can be treated; or rejects the candidate based on unsatisfactory responses that are not rectifiable over a short time frame.
The final stage of the selection process is conducted at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Traming Centre. A medical evaluation commission bases its decision both on physical and psychological results. Selection is then confirmed by the Chief Medical Commission of the Soviet Union, comprising of the leading specialists in clinical and space medicine. All serious psychological illnesses are grounds for rejection. In individual cases, if the candidate possesses certain technical (research) attributes that are required for the mission, efforts are made to treat certain psychological abnormalities. Selection for cosmonaut training may be made following at least one year of complete recovery.
In general, individuals are judged unsuitable for cosmonaut training if disorders are found in psychic, nervous, anatomic, or infectious parameters, including venereal disorders.
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