General designer S.P. Korolev (1961)

Rocket and space technology designer S.P. Korolev climbs the ramp at Baikonur before another spacecraft launch.

Korolev during a meeting.

Interior view of the spacecraft descent module assembly shop.

Korolev speaks at a meeting of rocket and space technology designers.

The spacecraft in the shop during assembly.

One of the specialists checks the electrical circuit.

Spacecraft parts.

Installing the spacecraft's protective casing.

Testing the protective casing for deployment.

The casing halves separate and fall onto the safety net.

Members of the State Commission see off the cosmonaut (standing with his back to him) at Baikonur.

Korolev shakes the cosmonaut's hand and says parting words. V.V. Tereshkova (with her back to him) hands Korolev a bouquet of flowers.

Korolev sits on a bench and talks with military pilots.

Seeing off the cosmonauts on their flight.

Specialists inspect the cabin of the Vostok-1 spacecraft before the launch.

Yu.A. Gagarin in the cabin of the spacecraft before the launch on April 12, 1961. Member of the first cosmonaut team, Senior Lieutenant Gagarin answers Korolev's questions during the next test.