V.P. Savinykh was born on March 7, 1940 in the village of Berezkiny, Orichi district, Kirov region, Russia.

 

Graduated in 1969 Moscow from Institute of Geodesy, Aerial Surveying and Cartography (MIIGAiK), Optical Instrumentation Faculty, got the vocation of "optician-mechanic".

 

Having graduated from the institute V.P. Savinykh worked in the Scientific and Industrial Corporation "Energy", for 20 years, started as an engineer, passed all the steps to the Head of the Complex. The scientific methods and systems developed by V.P. Savinykh formed the basis for his Ph.D. (1985) and doctoral (1990) theses. 

 

On December 8, 1978 V.P. Savinykh was enrolled in the cosmonaut corps of the SIC “Energy” as a test cosmonaut. He performed three space missions in the orbital stations Salyut-6, "Salyut-7", "Mir".

 

In 1989-2007 headed Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK), and from 2007 up to now is the President of the University.

 

Was awarded state and industry awards: twice The Hero of the Soviet Union (1981, 1985), the title of "USSR Pilot-Cosmonaut" (1981), the Order of Lenin (1981, 1985), the "Gold Star" medal (1981, 1985), the Order of Sukhe-Bator (1981), the Gold Star of the Hero of the PRM (1981), the Order of Syrian Military Valor (1987), the Gold Medal named after K.E.  Tsiolkovsky (1987), the Order of Lenin (1988), the Order of Dimitrov (1988), the Gold Star of the PRB Hero (1988), the winner of the USSR State Prize (1989), the Order "For Merits to the Motherland" III degree (1994), Academician of the International Engineering Academy (1994); Laureate of the State Prize of Russia in the science and technology  field (1996), the Order of Friendship and Cooperation (Syria, 1996), the medal "In commemoration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow" (1997), the medal "300 years of Russian Navy "(1997), the Order of Friendship of the Vietnam Socialist Republic (1999), the badge" Honored Worker of the Russian Federation Higher Professional Education "(1999), the Order "For Merits to Motherland " II degree (2000), the medal "For Combat  Cooperation of Cuba Republic"(2000), the medal "For Strengthening the Combat  Commonwealth" (2002), the Medal "200 Years of  Defense Ministry"(2002), Laureate of the State Award in the field of Science and Technology (2003), Laureate of the Russian Federation President Prize in Education (2003), Laureate of the RF Government Prize (2003), winner of the prize named after F.N. Krasovsky (2003), The Order of Honor (2004), The Gagarin badge (2004), The Order of Peter the Great I degree (2004); the badge "Honored Worker of the Russian Federation Science and Technology" (2005), Honorary Medal "For Achievements in Environmental Protection" (2005); Corresponding Member of the Russian Science Academy (2006); breastplate "For Merits and Charity"  (2009), Order "For Merits to the Motherland", IV degree (2010); The title "Honorary Surveyor" (2010); The Order of K.E. Tsiolkovsky (2010); Honorary badge "For Merits to the Home City" (Kirov, 2010); Medal "For Merits in Space Conquest" (2011), the sign "50 Years of Manned Space Flight" (2011); Memory medal of L.G. Osipenko (2012); Memory sign "200 Years of Military Topographic Administration of the General Staff" (2012).