Space Programme Collection

Earthrise over Moon, Apollo 8. This famous image, one of the first of the Earth seen from another world, was taken by US astronauts on board the Apollo 8 spacecraft on 24th December 1968 as they

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and rocket engineer Sergey Korolyov, 1961. Pictured at Baikonur Cosmodrome, USSR. Korolyov (1907-1966)

Valentina Tereshkova, Russian cosmonaut, Baikonur Cosmodrome, USSR, 16 June 1963. Tereshkova (1937-) on the day when she piloted Vostok 6, making the first space flight by a woman

Huck Press experimental plate proof, 1957. Creator: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Huck Press experimental plate proof, 1957. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing adopted state-of-the-art printing technologies that transformed stamp production

Yuri Gagarin, Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, the first man in space, 1961 (colour photo)
5234048 Yuri Gagarin, Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, the first man in space, 1961 (colour photo) by Russian Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968)

Sputnik 1, Russian satellite, 1957. Launched on 4 October 1957, Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to be put into Earths orbit

Laika, Russian cosmonaut dog, 1957. Laika was the first animal to orbit the Earth, travelling on board the Sputnik 2 spacraft launched on 3 November 1957

Belka and Strelka, Russian cosmonaut dogs, 1960. Belka and Strelka flew into Earth orbit on board Sputnik 5 on 19 August 1960 as part of the Soviet programme aimed at determining the viability of

Last steps of Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, Baikonur Cosmodrome, USSR, 23 April 1967. Vladimir Komarov (1927-1967) was one of the first group of cosmonauts selected to take part in the Soviet

Russian rocket engineer Sergey Korolyov with cosmonauts, Crimea, USSR, c1960. Korolyov (1907-1966) was the leading Soviet rocket engineer

Wernher von Braun, German rocket designer
Dr Wernher von Braun (1912-77), German-American rocket designer. Von Braun was the son of a German baron and Government minister. He was educated at Zurich and Berlin Institutes of Technology

Anatoly Blagonravov, Soviet engineer
Anatoly A. Blagonravov (right, 1895-1975), Soviet engineer, showing a colleague a spacecraft model. Blagonravov is making a report at a congress of the American Rocket Society, in the USA, in 1959

Korolev and Sheremetyev, Soviet engineers
Sergey Pavlovich Korolev (left, 1907-1966), and Boris Sheremetyev, Soviet rocket engineers. Korolev, who had worked on rockets in the 1930s

Soviet engineers and physicists, 1954
Soviet engineers and physicists. From left to right: Vasily Mishin (1917-2001), rocket engineer; Mstislav Keldysh (1911-1978), mathematician; Igor Kurchatov (1903-1960)

In-orbit medical report. Medical report used in the Soviet space programme: first in 1976 by cosmonaut Vyacheslav Zudov on the Soyuz 23 mission

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"Exploring the Unknown: A Glimpse into the Space Programme" Embarking on a journey beyond our earthly boundaries, the space programme has captivated humanity's imagination for decades. From Earthrise over Moon captured by Apollo 8 to Yuri Gagarin's historic voyage, these moments have shaped our understanding of the cosmos. In 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and rocket engineer Sergey Korolyov etched their names in history as they propelled mankind into space. Their pioneering spirit paved the way for future explorations and ignited a global fascination with what lies beyond our atmosphere. The Baikonur Cosmodrome witnessed another milestone in 1963 when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to venture into space. Her courageous mission shattered stereotypes and inspired generations of women to reach for the stars. Even before human presence, Sputnik 1, launched in 1957, marked Russia's triumph as it became the world's first artificial satellite. This groundbreaking achievement set off an international race towards scientific advancements and technological breakthroughs. Not forgetting our furry companions who played their part in this grand endeavor; Laika -the brave Russian cosmonaut dog- took her place aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957 while Belka and Strelka followed suit three years later. These canine pioneers proved that living beings could survive outer space conditions, paving the way for further exploration possibilities. However, amidst these remarkable achievements lie tales of sacrifice. Vladimir Komarov's final steps at Baikonur Cosmodrome in April 1967 serve as a poignant reminder of how far we are willing to go for progress. His tragic death during re-entry highlighted both bravery and risks associated with venturing beyond Earth's protective embrace. Behind every successful launch stood brilliant minds like Sergey Korolyov collaborating with dedicated cosmonauts against breathtaking backdrops such as Crimea or Baikonur Cosmodrome.