Putin: Before Blasting Off Into Space, Russia Must Complete "Astronaut City" on Earth
The world celebrates Cosmonautics Day today. 57 years ago, a new era for humanity began. On April 12th, 1961, after saying his legendary catchphrase, "Let's go!" Yuri Gagarin entered orbit, becoming the first man to go to outer space. He circled the planet once, fulfilling the dreams of not just Soviet citizens, but of all the people of planet Earth. When visiting the Space Pavilion at VDNKh, the President said that Russia plans to pursue interplanetary space mission programs. He is sure that this area will remain apolitical.
Dmitry Petrov reports about the past and the future of space.
The Space Pavilion hadn't been open for over 25 years. Now, after grand renovations, it opens its doors again. The first thing people will see is the return capsule of a Vostok-1 spacecraft. It's the spaceship that Yuri Gagarin traveled to outer space in and returning safely in. Here, you can see the burn marks from its reentry into the Earth's atmosphere.
This is a kind of rite of passage. Each Russian and Soviet cosmonaut that took off after Gagarin had to touch this capsule before going to space. This includes people who came here today: honored space veterans including Tereshkova, Krikalev, Yurchikhin, and Kononenko along with the new generation of cosmonauts.
Vladimir Putin: "I want to wish all of you who work there and our veterans a Happy Cosmonautics Day. Thank you for what you've done, it was actively used in the Soviet Union, and is now used in Russia. And despite today's well-known difficulties, we're making steady progress in continuing this extremely important work. As you already know, we've built a new cosmodrome".
Valentina Tereshkova: "Yes, we've been there".
Vladimir Putin: "Yes, a whole city will be built there eventually. It's not just about that launchpad, I personally hope that a technological nexus will be built in the Far East".
But right now, people are impressed by what they see here at the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center. Only a few years ago, this pavilion was in a dismal condition. After the first All-Union Agricultural Exhibition opened in 1939, achievements in mechanization and electrification were displayed here. In 1967, they changed the name to Space and Mechanical Engineering. The unique panel and mosaic were covered with plaster. In the 1990s, instead of spaceships, foreign car dealerships appeared here. Later, they started selling young plants here. It was ruined.
Sergey Sobyanin, Moscow's Mayor: "The pavilion was in disrepair and rusted out. It posed a grave danger to people who were here".
Three years ago, it was decided to fully renovate the pavilion and bring back its space spirit using old blueprints. Everything was restored, even the gold-plated mosaic, which was restored with pinpoint precision. Two sculptures have returned to the roof: a mechanic with a sledgehammer and a girl with a harvester's steering wheel. But the best part is inside; underneath the arch on Kosmicheskiy Blvd. Right underneath it is the shiny ball of the very first satellite. As we all know, it marked the start of humanity's space era. Of course, all space enthusiasts want to see this full-scale Mir orbital station up close. Here it's presented in a 4-module configuration. This is Mir itself, Quantum-1 is there, Quantum-2 is there, and over there is Crystal. They are connected with this docking port. Also, a full-scale Progress cargo vehicle is here, along with MAKS, the multipurpose aerospace system, and actual rocket engines.
Valentina Tereshkova, the Pilot-Cosmonaut of the RF: "This is a great base for young cosmonauts. We've agreed to hold annual meetings here".
This way, they can discuss future grand missions.
Vladimir Putin: "An order has been signed to build a super-heavy rocket that will be intended for outer space missions. First, it will enter lunar orbit, and then it will deliver supplies to the Moon".
Anna Kikina: "Judging from your words, we're going to the Moon, right?"
Vladimir Putin: "Yes, but this program is scheduled to take place up to 2030. Work on the Federation spacecraft is almost complete. We've already started working on the super-heavy rocket. It will be used for our lunar missions; there are no doubts about that".
Anna Kikina, an engineer and test cosmonaut, is one of the main candidates for our first piloted flight to the Moon. She's up for any mission right now.
Anna Kikina: "I'm ready to take the first step, and the ones that follow".
And Valentina Tereshkova's dreams are even bigger — outer space.
Vladimir Putin:"Do you want to go to the Moon?"
Valentina Tereshkova: "No, Sergey Pavlovich Korolyov promised me Mars".
Vladimir Putin: "Mars is a bit tricky. We have a program that we hope to participate in. Partnership agreements have already been signed. Thank God that politics doesn't interfere with this area. I really hope it will keep growing since all of humanity can benefit from it".
Currently, modules for the colonization of Mars are being developed.
Vladimir Putin: "Is this like a shield?"
How do you go to a futuristic cosmodrome without seeing what's it's like being a cosmonaut? The President and the Mayor of Moscow got inside this simulator and tried their hand at docking with a space station. It's one of the many immersive experiences here. Now that's what we call a real space theme park.
The new Space Pavilion at VDNKh will open its doors to visitors on April 13th.
Dmitry Petrov, Petr Ravnov, Maria Samsonova, Pavel Meyer, Sergey Rubanov, Sergey Dovgal. Vesti.