Photo location: Construction and assembly of the Vostok space capsule at the design bureau OKB-1 (now RKK Energiya) in Podlipki near Moscow (now Korolev), under the direction of Sergei Korolev.

Vostok space capsule. The photograph shows the Vostok space capsule with which Yuri Gagarin became the first human to fly into space on April 12, 1961. A “Space First” achievement of Soviet space exploration.

Description of the space capsule:
Vostok 1 was a spherical space capsule with a diameter of approximately 2.3 meters, designed for a single person.
It consisted of two main components: the landing capsule, in which Gagarin sat, and an instrument module, which was jettisoned during re-entry.
The capsule was equipped with life support systems, a small window, and control instruments.

Significance of the flight:
On April 12, 1961, Gagarin launched aboard the Vostok-1 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and orbited the Earth in 108 minutes.
From space, he reported the famous words “Poyekhali!” (Let’s go!) — a symbol for the beginning of the human space age.
After re-entry, Gagarin ejected from the capsule with a parachute, as the Vostok was not designed for a soft landing.
The photograph documents a milestone in space exploration history, symbolizing the Soviet Union’s technological lead at the time in the space race and laying the foundation for future crewed missions.