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First Soviet cosmonaut squad, 1961
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First Soviet cosmonaut squad, 1961
First Soviet cosmonaut squad, in Sochi, Russia, in May 1961. This photograph was taken soon after the worlds first successful orbital flight, by Yuri Gagarin. At centre is Sergei Korolev (1907-1966) the Soviet Unions pioneering rocket scientist, with his wife on his left and Gagarin on his right. Another notable cosmonaut in this picture is Alexei Leonov (second row, far left, born 1934), who, in 1965, became the first man to exit his spacecraft and carry out a space walk. The cosmonaut who is third from the right in the second row is Grigory G. Nelyubov (1934-1966) who was expelled from the cosmonaut squad in disgrace and later airbrushed out of official versions of this photograph. Full list of cosmonauts available on request
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Media ID 6427153
© RIA NOVOSTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1960s 1961 Chief Child Cold War Cosmonaut Cosmonauts Daughter Doctor Elderly Engineer Father Flight Girl Group Manned Spaceflight Police State Program Programme Removed Russia Russian Sergei Korolev Sochi Soviet Space Flight Space Race Trainer Young Yuri Gagarin Belyayev Censored Disappeared Disgrace Disgraced Fyodorov Mono Chrome Nikitin Titov Vanished
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This print captures the historic moment of the first Soviet cosmonaut squad in Sochi, Russia, in May 1961. The image showcases the pioneers who paved the way for manned spaceflight during the intense Cold War era. At the center stands Sergei Korolev, a visionary rocket scientist and chief engineer of the Soviet Union's space program. Standing proudly by his side is Yuri Gagarin, who had recently achieved worldwide fame as the first human to successfully orbit Earth. Amongst this esteemed group is Alexei Leonov, positioned on the far left of the second row. Notably, he would go on to become humanity's first spacewalker in 1965. However, one figure missing from official versions of this photograph is Grigory G. Nelyubov – expelled from the cosmonaut squad under mysterious circumstances and airbrushed out of history. The diverse group composition includes individuals ranging from young trainees to elderly figures with their daughters by their side. This monochrome snapshot provides a glimpse into an important chapter in human history when nations raced against each other to conquer outer space. As we reflect upon this extraordinary moment frozen in time, it serves as a reminder not only of scientific achievements but also political tensions that defined an entire generation living under a police state regime. This photograph encapsulates both triumphs and untold stories within its frame – symbolizing hope for future exploration while concealing secrets yet to be unveiled.
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