Manned manoeuvering unit 21KS, 1988
This unit was trialled in spaced by cosmonauts Viktorenko and Serebrov in 1990. It allowed a cosmonaut to manoeuvre independently in space. The cosmonaut would wear it like a backpack, operating controls on the hand panels. It propels the cosmonaut using small bursts of gas from nozzles.
Soyuz-T Neptune information display system, 1982-83
This console gives the Soyuz module’s crew information on the spacecraft’s condition and trajectory. It provides a keyboard interface with the spacecraft’s computer for inputing commands during manoeuvering, docking, descent and landing. The small globe displays the craft’s position over the Earth.
Yuri’s pilot oxygen mask KM-32-12, 1960-68
Aircraft pilots had long required an oxygen supply to allow flying at high altitude. The Soviet KM-32-12 mask became standard issue and Gagarin regularly wore it during his training aircraft flights.
LunokHod 1 lunar roving vehicle (model 1970)
Two Lunokhod vehicles were sent to the Moon’s surface, and remain there today. The Lunokhod vehicles were originally intended to support cosmonauts landing on the Moon. They were expected to land first, and act as a radio beacon and emergency buggy for travelling to a backup lunar lander. Their TV and photographic cameras recorded thousands of images, and instruments analysed the lunar environment. During their working life on the Moon both travelled over 50km, under the control of operators on Earth.
Medical student lab coat, 1961
The pride and joy of crowds packing into Moscow’s Red Square to cheer Yuri Gagarin standing with Soviet premier Khrushchev showed itself in all kinds of instant, improvised ways.