spring day in 1961, namely April 12, people around the world recognize the name of the person who opened the space for people.
From sensational headlines, read the enthusiastic patter radio reports in any language, and finally television, learned and what was the name of the spaceship of Yuri Gagarin.The usual word for one of the four cardinal points.About what this name is not saying no does not reveal mysteries.And the questions were many, here is the answer - a little.
little pseudo-scientific political fiction
Of course, such an event happen forty years earlier, in the twenties, we can only guess what would have received for the name of the first space rocket.In those years, as usual, it probably would be called "International, 1", or some clever abbreviation corresponding to the then party fashion.For example, "Strasovkosom" (Land of the Soviets in space).Or "Vladlenkosom" (Vladimir Lenin, ibid).Even the post of Deputy People's Commissar for Naval Affairs was designated as "Zamkompomorde."In general, we would come up with something meaningful.
And if the first astronaut sent into orbit under Stalin, it is possible that he would carry on his body the name of the leader, "the father of nations."
Another name for missiles, military
If professional military, a secret rocketeer, asked how called the spaceship of Yuri Gagarin's for real, he would say (observing secrecy, and only those who have been "the firsttolerance "), that is correct - the R-7.Because this is the ballistic missile was the carrier which brought became famous Soviet pilot into orbit.But ask such questions were fraught.Firstly, it was necessary even to know who to go with them, but it was beyond the power of even a cunning intelligence, the CIA.And secondly, a secret kept virtually everything about the Soviet space exploration.
tricky question Gagarin and his witty answers
16 April 1961 the world's first cosmonaut came to the press conference at which all the correspondents of news agencies could ask him any, even the most tricky questions.At the time, they knew just what was the name of the spaceship of Yuri Gagarin, the weight of its payload (5 tons) and a few other parameters, the catechumens before Akademik Keldysh.Hero charmingly smiled readily and ingeniously answered all the questions of interviewers, but new technical information is not reported.Until 1968, when the lander "East" has become an exhibit Exhibition Center, even the shape of an inhabited compartment remained a mystery, not to mention the sophisticated devices, providing the support and the landing capsule.The grounds for such a veil of secrecy was.Americans literally stepping on heels, but always two or three months late, which is very frustrating for President Kennedy, and other important people in the White House, and not only.Even seemingly insignificant details can bring overseas designers in the right direction, and the priority would be lost.Experts from the United States speculated about the layout of the "East", but, as time has shown, they were all wrong.
«East" and "Zenith" - twins
So, we all know what the name of the spaceship of Yuri Gagarin - "Vostok-1".But the word "Zenith" until 1968 almost anyone about anything do not say.Only a few knew the true and the main problems to be solved by designing returned by a head portion of the space rocket.In addition to the delivery of nuclear arsenals, the R-7 could put into orbit a satellite reconnaissance purposes, equipped with heavy-duty optics and photographic equipment.With great difficulty, Keldysh and Korolev managed to add sovsekretnoe government decree word of manned flight.Since the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin became an example of conversion, while its main purpose consisted in military photo-reconnaissance.
Once again the history of
Time has shown the correctness of the great scientist Sergei Korolev and his wonderful team.Decades have passed, and today rarely thought of spy satellites, clear images of Soviet and American defense facilities aimed at each other ballistic megasmertyah and other terrible realities of the Cold War.But all mankind remember the name of the ship Yuri Gagarin, aware of our space priorities and utters the name of the pioneer of space with respect and love.That has not changed.
