Valery Polyakov, Who Took the Longest Journey in Space, Dies at 80

Dr. Valery Polyakov held the world record for the longest time in outer space, 437 days. The man was 80.

Russia's space agency did not specify when or where the death happened.

After leaving the Russian Mir space station, Dr. Polyakov returned to Earth in 17 hours and 38 minutes. According to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, he had traveled almost 200 million miles.

He volunteered for the mission to prove that the human body could survive in microgravity long enough to get to Mars. While in space, he worked out and looked like he could wrestle a bear.

According to Philip Baker's book, "The Story of Manned Space Stations: An introduction," Dr. Polyakov walked on his own strength, sat down, stole a cigarette from a friend, and drank brandy.

His record is still perfect. Mark Vande Hei, an American, set a record for the longest time in space by an American when he came back to Earth in March.

The Museum of Space History says that Valery Ivanovich Korshunov was born in the Russian city of Tula. He was adopted by his mother.

There were no details on his survivors.

Boris Yegorov was the first doctor to fly in space. The Institute of Medical and Biological Problems in Moscow was where Dr. Polyakov got his expertise.

NASA said Dr. Polyakov had contributed to the studies of long-term human spaceflight.