This is 6th in a series of posts sharing the photos my grandfather took in 1969 on a business trip to Moscow. For full context, read the start of part 1.
This post includes photos of the space museum at the Cosmos Pavilion in the All-Russia Exhibition Center of Economic Achievements (VDNKh, now VVC). Circa 2011 it was used as a farmer’s market, per commenters on my photos.
In early 2018 I was contacted by a researcher and curator of the exhibition center and gave permission for my grandfather’s photos to be used in an exhibit describing the building’s time as a space museum. I’m not sure if that exhibit happened or not.
Cosmos Pavilion Space Museum
Vostok space craft outside Cosmos Pavilion of All-Russia Exhibition Center of Economic Achievements. Is it a different rocket than in a 2005 photo on wikipedia? That page says it was produced in 1970, which might just be an error.
Model of the satellite used to study radiation and environmental conditions of the outer atmosphere in preparation of Yuri Gagarin’s first manned flight to space.
User comments:
– It looks so tiny 😉
The model was on display at the Cosmos Pavilion of the All Russian Exhibition Centre.
Kosmos-149 was newest, it launched in early 1967. Kosmos-97 launched in 1965. The first of 37 Molniya launched in 1964.
Seen at the Cosmos Pavilion of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre.
Model of Vostok space craft in nose cone. At Cosmos Pavilion of All-Russia Exhibition Centre.
Models of the satellites Electron 1 (launched Jan 30, 1964), Electron 2 (launched June 11, 1964) and Sputnik 3 (launched May 15, 1958).
Inside the Cosmos Pavilion at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre.
I believe the vessel on the left is a model of Venera 5, which launched in early 1969. To its right — based on the solar panels — is a Venera 2. Up to the right is a Proton probe.
Seen in the Cosmos Pavilion of the All-Russian Exhibition Centre.
Model of Lunik-3 (Луна-3, Luna-3), Cosmos Pavilion of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre.
User comments:
– First to see the far side of the moon
This model of the Proton hung inside the Cosmos Pavilion of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre. In the background, a Kosmos rocket and Vostok space craft are visible. Proton-1 and Proton-2 were identical satellites with identical scientific payloads. Here’s a bit about them from NASA.
Model of Luna 9 (E-9, луна9) at Cosmos Pavilion of All Russia Exhibition Centre in 1969. This was the first automated probe to land on the moon.
Cosmos Pavilion at Exhibition of the Achievements of the People’s Economy (VDNKh), Moscow.
User Comments:
– LOL-At first I thought that was a large column. Fun shot and well done by your grandfather.
– Thank you that was removed, scanned, and vyozhili otkryiy access to our history. Send soobschenik in runet ..
– You won’t believe how ruined this one is now…
– very disappointing now I did go back to visit in 2011.(Farmes market now?) I was there in 1982 how wonderful . I do not like changes!!
Model of engine at the Cosmos Pavilion in VVC (All Russian Exhibition Centre).
Vostok Rocket Engine RD-107. I had titled this “Satellite Booster?” while I tried to track it down. I thought this model currently resides at Memorial Museum of Astronautics (link), but a picture of it on Wikipedia says that it’s now at the Museum of Space and Missile Technology in St. Petersburg (link).
Model of the Vostok craft which carried Yuri Gagarin into space in April of 1961.
A Vostok had earlier carried a number of stray dogs as living test pilots. Laika, from an earlier mission, is famous. Vostok carried Pchelka and Mushka to their tragic deaths as its reentry rockets failed to stop firing and they burned up on reentry. Three later dogs survived before Gagarin was sent up.
User comments:
– Good . Thnx from Russia
– incredible photos, thanx to your grandfather David C. Cook and you for sharing
– These are some of the best early photos of the Cosmos Pavilion I’ve seen – thanks for sharing them! I suspect the guy who runs this site would be very interested to include them. What was your grandfather doing in Moscow?
Not sure what rocket this is. It was in the Cosmos Pavilion at the All Russia Exhibition Centre.
Vostok rocket in front of entrance of the Cosmos Pavilion.
User comments:
– The airplane standing in the middle of the picture is a Tupolev Tu-134. Your photos of those years in the USSR are fabulous.
– Thank you very much for these photos! I live all my life nearby VDNK and happy to see this park on your colorful photos – it is really rare !
Viewed from the north I believe. Cosmonaut memorial in Moscow. Монумент «Покорителям космоса»
User comments:
– It is a Memorial Museum of Cosmonautica and Cosmonauts memorial. View from the Central entrance of VDNK as far as I can see – street lamps were unique for the park.
Further reading
- Moscow 1969 Part 1, context and Red Square
- Moscow 1969 Part 2, Pioneer Palace and Novdevichy
- Moscow 1969 Part 3, Rossiya Hotel and Hotel Moscow
- Moscow 1969 Part 4, Bolshoi Theatre and Theatre Square
- Moscow 1969 Part 5, subways and buses
- Moscow 1969 Part 7, VDNKh and Archangelskoe
- Moscow 1969 Part 8, Kremlin
- Moscow 1969 Part 9, Moscow River
- Moscow 1969 Part 10, Kotelnicheskaya and MGU
- Moscow 1969 Part 11, Dubna and Moscow buildings
- Moscow 1969 Part 12, Lermontov and street vendors
- Sweden’s Atomic energy, 1960s photos and pamphlets
- And, until I cancel my Flickr account, here’s a link to photos by my grandfather from other cities around the world.