Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez
Cuban cosmonaut
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez (born January 29, 1942) is a Cuban military officer, legislator, and former cosmonaut. He was the first person of African heritage in space.[1]
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez | |
---|---|
Born | |
Status | Retired |
Nationality | Cuban |
Occupation | Pilot |
Awards | Hero of the Republic of Cuba Hero of the Soviet Union |
Space career | |
Intercosmos Research Cosmonaut | |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Time in space | 7d 20h 43m |
Selection | 1978 Intercosmos Group |
Missions | Soyuz 38 |
Mission insignia |
As a member of the crew of Soyuz 38, he became the first Cuban citizen, the first Latin American, and the first person from a country in the Western Hemisphere other than the United States to travel into Earth orbit.
References
change- ↑ "Soviets Launch World's First Black Cosmonaut". Jet. 59 (4): 8. 9 October 1980. ISSN 0021-5996.