Russian and Soviet Space Programs

Valentina Tereshkova - The First Woman In Space

March 6th, 2007

 On June 16, 1963 Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. She orbited the earth for almost 3 days, taking photographs and keeping a detailed flight log. She only flew into space once, and it would be 19 years before another woman flew as part of the Soviet space program.

In later life, Tereshkova became a high ranking member of the communist government in Moscow. She was decorated Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded the Order of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, and the United Nations Gold Medal of Peace. In 2000, she was named “Greatest Woman Achiever of the Century” by the International Women of the Year Association.

Link: Wikipedia article on Valentina Tereshkova
Link: First woman in space dreams of flying to Mars
Link: BBC - Cosmonaut is Woman of the Century

CBC Radio Coverage of the Sputnik Launch

February 14th, 2007

CBC Radio has posted audio from their October 4, 1957 coverage of the Soviet satellite Sputnik. Sputnik’s launch took the west by surprise and marked a Soviet advance in the space race. Listen to this broadcast from 1957 and get a feel for the west’s reaction to Sputnik.

Link: The space race and Sputnik

Sergei Korolyov - Sputnik Designer

January 15th, 2007

The Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite, or Sputnik, on October 4, 1957. On Friday, Russia honored Sputnik’s designer Sergei Korolyov. Here’s a link to CCN’s report on Korolyov and the special ceremonies held in Moscow. More information can be found at Wikipedia about Korolyov’s life and accomplishments.

Link: Russia honors Sputnik designer
Link: Wikipedia - Sergey Korolyov

Found Photo: Yuri Gagarin Postcard

January 12th, 2007

Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space. Here’s a postcard that commemorates this Soviet hero.

Yuri Gagarin Postcard

Originally posted by Radio Rover

New Russian Space Shuttles

January 1st, 2007

According to Sci-Tech Today, Russia will soon be making new space shuttles that could play an important roll in future International Space Station missions.

“Russian space shuttles will ferry American astronauts to the ISS after the U.S. Shuttle program is decommissioned by NASA in 2010. Russia plans to begin construction of its own shuttle, the Kliper (often called the Clipper in English), in 2012.”

Link: For Russia, a Good Year in Space
Relevant Book: Energiya-Buran: The Soviet Space Shuttle

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