In the U.S., we know all about the first men on the moon and the race to space with Russia. However, what we might not know is just how involved Russia was in going to space.
An exhibition has been started at the London Science Museum called Cosmonauts: The Birth of the Space Age, which is aimed at charting the involvement of Russia in the space race through a series of space-related objects that have previously left Russia.
Among the paraphernalia is the Vostok 6, which is the capsule that housed Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, back in 1963, for 22 hours and 50 minutes.
The planning for the exhibition itself lasted four years, and while there were a few obstacles along the way, the wait for the finished product was well worth the wait. Many of the objects haven't even been viewed by Russians, despite the fact that they hold such a significant value in Russian history.
Russia was one of the world's few early pioneers when it comes to space travel. The country was the first to send satellites and animals into orbit, such as Laika, the first dog in space.
"The idea was to show a sense of conquering and penetrating space — these ideas had already emerged in Russian philosophy as early as the late 19th century," said Zelfira Tregulova, director general for The State Tretyakov Gallery, in an interview with Motherboard.
Other objects at the exhibition include an ejector seat for dogs, satellites for Sputnik 1 and an LK-3 lunar lander.
Objects aren't the only things that will feature at the exhibition. The goal is also to try and convey a few thoughts and feelings associated with Russia's space age. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, for example, will be remembered for his science fiction writing as well as his famous quote: "Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever."
Via: Motherboard
