Treasures of the Soviet Union's space industry (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Richard Hollingham
Moscow


Nearly 50 years ago, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space when he orbited the Earth for 108 minutes before landing.

As historical artefacts go, it is not much to look at - a charred cannonball, 2m (6ft 6in) across, its centre hollowed out to - just about - allow a man to fit inside.

In 1961 this Vostok capsule carried Yuri Gagarin around the Earth. Considering the importance of the spacecraft - and today's nostalgia in Russia for the achievements of the Soviet Union - few people ever get to see it.

The capsule is displayed in a private museum run by the state-owned space company Energia and it can take months to arrange a visit.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9420752.stm