Graduated from Leningrad Mechanical Institute with a candidate of technical science degree, 1980; was selected by GMVK as cosmonaut on 03.11.1980 (NPOE); OKP (cosmonaut basic training): 10/83 - 1985; was assigned as double for Soyuz T-12 and for an all female Soyuz mission (later cancelled); later research scientist and professor at Leningrad Mechanical Institute and later for the Baltic Technical State University (until 1994).