Sergey Sverdlin
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sergey Sverdlin on October 9, 2024 at the age of 65 after a 6-month battle with cancer.
Sergey was born on November 24, 1958 in Leningrad, USSR to Anatolii and Galina Sverdlin.
Sergey is survived by his wife Nina, stepson Paul, daughter Vera, and brother Victor, along with numerous colleagues and friends.
Sergey earned a master’s degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from St. Petersburg Polytechnical Institute. Sergey served as a merchant marine before coming to the United States in 1986. He was also an accomplished poet and author. Once in the United States he earned his citizenship, Texas became his second home and working at NASA filled his life.
Sergey worked in the US Space Program as International Space Station (ISS) Flight Controller since 1998, totaling more than 25 years in support of Human Space Flight. He was engaged in international relations as an engineer in Moscow and Houston. Sergey was the key specialist who identified critical safety concerns related to the propulsion system of the Multipurpose Logistic Module (MLM) during docking to the International Space Station. Sergey was also the US engineer who identified major system anomalies within the Russian Segment computer system during STS-117/13A. His work and collaboration have been instrumental in the joint US Space and Russian Space Agency Program partnership.
Sergey has received multiple awards for his work on diagnosing, collaborating, negotiating, and resolving flight safety hazards on ISS. His most recent awards include Space Flight Awareness Flight Safety Award as a key member of the Soyuz Thermal Control System Leak Response Operations team, Flight Operations Director Award for Soyuz/Progress Coolant Leaks, and the Rotary National Stellar Award for Space Achievement for his work in identifying critical MLM hazards.
His strength, humor, and friendship will be missed by all of his NASA and Texas family.
A memorial will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 11am at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598.
Good-bye Sergey! We had some exciting tours to Moscow together, many eventful days. You were a brilliant engineer and of all the people working ISS, you may be the one who may have had one of the biggest hands in keeping it afloat in space through all the tribulations and successes. I will miss your guidance and expertise, and hope you are in a place with perfect DPPs! Will miss you big-guy.
Sergey was a wonderful person with a broad and kind soul. Many knew him as a professional and knowledgeable engineer. But he was also a very creative person. He wrote excellent stories, he wrote beautiful poems. It was always a pleasure to talk with him on various topics. We will miss Sergey very very much. Condolences to Nina and to loved ones.
Hello,
My name is Deven Gajarawala. I did not know Sergey personally, but recognize him as a trailblazer and great friend to the NASA community. For that, he has my utmost respect and admiration. I wish to express my condolences and hope that his friends, colleagues, and family are able to find peace in each other during this difficult time.
Thank you.
With deep sadness I am saying last goodbye to dear friend, Sergey.
He will be remembered as a great man – kind, honest ,very talented and hardworking.
My heart goes to his family: Nina, Paul, Vera, Victor.
My Prayers and deepest condolences to family and friends!
May Sergey be at Peace with Our Lord Jesus Christ!
He will be in my heart!
Goodbye, dear Sergey!
My heart goes out to all those who were fortunate enough to know this remarkable man. Sergey was not just a colleague but a true mentor who helped bridge cultures and opened your eyes to the richness of a foreign land. His impact on my life, both professionally and personally, is evident in the stories I continue to tell colleagues to this day. While Sergey’s passing leaves a void, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the safety measures he implemented, and the bridges he built between nations.
My thoughts are with Sergey’s family and all who mourn this loss.
Sergey was not just a colleague but a true mentor who helped bridge cultures and opened your eyes to the richness of a foreign land. His impact on my life, both professionally and personally, is evident in the stories I continue to tell colleagues to this day. While Sergey’s passing leaves a void, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the safety measures he implemented, and the bridges he built between nations.
My thoughts are with you, Sergey’s family, and all who mourn this loss.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences for your loss.
Sincerely,
Monte and Karina Buschow
Sergey will be greatly missed! We looked forward to his tours in Moscow. Our sincere condolences to his family.
Sergey and I had together six years of study in Polytechnical Institute of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Years later we met in New York and shared memories about the time when we were students.
I have known Sergey as an extraordinary person of many talents, and it’s such a shame that his life terminated so early.
I will keep memories about him in my heart.
My condolences to his family members.
My condolences to the entire Sverdlin family. Sergey will always be remembered as a great, knowledgeable person with a very big heart. I am honored to have shared many days with him in our NASA community.
Sergey I’m truly thankful that our paths in life met. You were a powerful presence in the world of ISS, but I’ll remember you most for you generosity, your authenticity, and for that little smile you’d have just before you were about to tell a joke. You had a very positive impact on my life and on many, many more who lucky to have crossed paths with you, and you will be greatly missed!
My name is Vladimir Maslov. I’m from St.Petersburg, Russia.
Sergey and I have known each other since 1980, when we were students. We spent many joyful moments together during our student days and later, when he regularly came to St.Petersburg and certainly gathered all his friendss. Sergey is a crearive, smart, brave and courageus man. He was a leader by nature. He is also very artistic and talented. What else can you call a person who writes poetry and prose, who entered the artistic faculty ot the Theater institute withaut preparation to two leading teathers at once?
Sergei’s eathly path is over…. And there is no way to change it.
We will grieve together with Sergey’s family, relatives and friends.
Sergey was such an integral part of our NASA family – I miss encountering his smile on the way in to console, in Houston and in Moscow! Deepest condolences to his whole family, we are sending you strength, peace, and love.
My condolences to Sverdlin family. Sergey will be greatly missed.
Sergey was a wonderful man and a great professional. I was lucky to had a chance to work with him in Moscow and Houston. Kind, with a great sense of humor and a big heart. My deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to Sverdlin family. Sergey will be missed.
Sergey was always helpful. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences to Sergey family.
I will never forget the passion Sergey showed when training new HSG’ers up in the way they should go. I know you will be missed by many, but we know you’ll still be watching over us and the Space Station. God Speed, Sergey. Condolences and prayers to family and friends.
Farewell Sergey! You were a unique individual and will be greatly missed. I really appreciate what I learned from you over the years out in Moscow. Condolences to your family.
My condolences to Sergey’s family. Покойся с миром Sergey.