Gagarin’s pilot oxygen mask

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. Continue reading

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The Making of Cosmonauts

A chance remark, back in 2008 started a chain of events leading the most significant exhibition of Soviet and Russian space artifacts held outside of Russian. This talk with Doug Millard, Senior Curator of Cosmonauts, tells the story of how … Continue reading

Posted in Science Museum, Sergei Korolev, Space dog, Sputnik, Vostok Rocket design, Yuri Gagarin, Yuri's Flying Machines | Leave a comment

Modelling Yuri’s World 5:

For some of us, words and pictures are not enough, we like to see things in three dimensions. Few of us though, have the space or the cash to collect real aircraft, rockets, statues, buildings and vehicles. Instead, we turn … Continue reading

Posted in Making a Graphic Novel, Soviet vehicles, The Book, Yuri Gagarin, Yuri's Flying Machines | Leave a comment

Launch & orbital phase

Two hours before take-off, the selected cosmonaut ascended to the top of the gantry in an elevator and climbed into the crew capsule through a round hatchway. Pad technicians then sealed the hatch into place with 36 explosive bolts. These … Continue reading

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Modelling Yuri’s World: No.2

Korolev’s Baby, the R-7, ‘Semyorka’ Rocket For some of us, words and pictures are not enough, we like to see things in three dimensions. Few of us though, have the space or the cash to collect real aircraft, rockets, statues, … Continue reading

Posted in Vostok Rocket design, YURI's DAY, Yuri's Flying Machines | Leave a comment