About the Author

Dr. Oleg Novinkov graduated from the Saratov State Medical Institute, as an Air Force physician. He eventually joined the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan as an aviation and technical base medical service officer. He received many awards for his time there, including the Order of the Red Star and the medal "From a Thankful Afghan Nation". He subsequently worked in aviation units and at the Yu Gagarin Air Force Academy. He retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel; he was the Head of the Medical Group of the Military Representative Office in Moscow, where he supported space missions. He received his doctorate in the field of Aviation, Space and Sea Medicine before moving to the United States. He currently consults in international space medicine.