- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 14 April 1961
- Country: Russia & USSR
The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal (or Заслуженный военный лётчик СССР, Zaslužennyj voennyj lëtčik SSSR in Russian) was established on 14 April 1961 and awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet to all cosmonauts who flew for the Soviet Space Agency. Usually accompanying the distinction was the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the highest title that could be awarded to a Soviet citizen for performing heroic deeds while in service of the state.
The award was given until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 where it was retained by the Law of the Russian Federation 2555-1 dated 20 March 1992 with a few slight amendments and renamed Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation. The insignia of Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR is worn on the right side of the chest above orders and decorations.
The Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Medal Design
The medal is a 25mm wide by 23.8mm high convex pentagon with a gilt silver rim.
In the center is an image of the terrestrial globe with the territory of the Soviet Union enameled in red. A gold star denotes Moscow as the point of origin of a gilt orbital path going around the globe once to reach a silver satellite at the upper left of the globe. A second orbital path, this time enameled in red, starts at the bottom center of the globe going up in an arc narrowing along the way to reach a gilt spacecraft above the globe.
Along the upper-left edge of the pentagon above the globe, the gilt relief inscription ЛЕТЧИК (“PILOT”), along the upper-right edge of the pentagon above the globe, the gilt relief inscription КОСМОНАВТ (“COSMONAUT”), along the bottom edge of the pentagon under the globe, the gilt inscription СССР (“USSR”), along the left and right lower edges of the pentagon, prominent gilt laurel branches. The reverse of the insignia is plain except for the award serial number.
The insignia is secured to a standard Russian square mount by a ring through the suspension loop. The award is secured to clothing with a threaded stud and nut behind the mount. The mount is covered by a silk moiré red ribbon.
