Penza, 27 June 2012. PenzaNews. Russian test cosmonauts, Andrey Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev were awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation. The corresponding resolution was signed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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“For courage and heroism in a long-duration space flight on the International Space Station, to award Andrey Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev the title of Hero of the Russian Federation,” declares the document.

Andrey Borisenko was also awarded the title of Pilot- Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation.

Andrey Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev are test cosmonauts from Yuri Gagarin Research Testing Center of Cosmonaut Training.

Orbital watch of Andrey Borisenko, Alexander Samokutyaev and NASA astronaut Ronald Garan lasted 164 days, from April to September 2011. During this time, they accepted to the ISS two Russian space trucks “Progress,” a manned spacecraft “Soyuz TMA-02M,” and two US shuttles. Both Russian and American side performed a spacewalk. In addition, the Russian cosmonauts conducted about 50 scientific experiments.