SCIENTISTS & PIONEERS
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky – Russian and Soviet scientist, visionary and pioneer of cosmonautics theory. Tsiolkovsky ideas laid in the foundation of Soviet space program and inspired many famous Soviet scientists like Sergey Korolev and Valentin Glushko. Interestingly Sergey Korolev had a chance to meet Tsiolkovsky in 1929 when a 23 year old young man who was interested in airplane modelling and design visited Tsiolkovsky in Kaluga. Tsiolkovsky was admired in Russian Empire and Soviet Union; he even received personal greetings from Stalin and was awarded an Order of Red Banner of Labor in 1932 (quite rare and highly honored award those times). Tsiolkovsky consulted first Soviet science fiction movie – Space Flight, released in 1936 after his death. In the astrophilately he is noted not only by commemoration on covers and stamps but also by special cancellations issued and applied by Tsiolkovsky museum.
Tsiolkovsky Monument 1958
Book fair Chelyabinsk cancellation on the cover with Collector Day Moscow postmarks
Chelyabinsk book fair
Naming of a Crater on the Mood after Tsiolkovsky.
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Memorial Day 1960 Kaluga probably the most famous cover printed in only 300 pieces, though many fakes exist
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Memorial Day 1960 Kaluga
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Memorial Day 1960 Minsk
25th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky museum Note 2 types of cancellations - black official postmark and red souvenir stamp
25th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky museum
105th anniversary of Konstanin Tsiolkovsky official cover with overprint
105th anniversary of Konstanin Tsiolkovsky club cover printed in 200 pcs
105th anniversary
105th anniversary of Konstanin Tsiolkovsky Vinnitsa club cover
60th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky research issue official cover with overprint
60th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky research issue club cover - blue
gold print
young tourists rally official cover with overprint
30th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky speech on radio
30th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky speech on radio
Tsiolkovsky State museum of Cosmonautics opening in 1967
Kaluga cover with 1971 Cosmonautics Day special postmark
Kaluga, 1972
120th anniversary Kaluga, 1977 club cover
125th anniversary Moscow, 1982
125th anniversary Moscow, 1982
50 years of Tsiolkovsky Home-Museum 1986
GMIK - Kaluga 25th anniversary
GMIK - Kaluga 25th anniversary
Note various cinderellas on the Tsiolkovsky State Museum of History of Cosmonautics postcards. The cards are mostly joint issues of Kaluga postal authorities and Tsiolkovsky museum. These cinderellas were designed by Valentin Afonin from Kaluga for the museum issues and officially distributed at Kaluga post office. Anyone who bought a postcard and requested special cancellation could get a self-sticking Cinderella free of charge (see below)
135th anniversary Kirov, 1992
5th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky museum in Kirov. He lived in Kirov in 1873-78.
5th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky museum in Kirov. He lived in Kirov in 1873-78.
IV Tsiolkovky readings, Kaluga. 1995
100th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky research issue Sergey Chizhov cachet
150th anniversary Kaluga
150th anniversary Baikonur
Kaluga region special cancellation on the Tsiolkovsky museum postcard 2011
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 50th anniversary
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 50th anniversary
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 50th anniversary
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 50th anniversary
Tsiolkovsky readings 2012
Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 45th anniversary
Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 45th anniversary
Tsiolkovsky readings 2012
Tsiolkovsky readings 2013
1st stone in the foundation of the second stage of the museum
1st stone in the foundation of the second stage of the museum
1st stone in the foundation of the second stage of the museum
1st stone in the foundation of the second stage of the museum
Tsiolkovsky readings 2014
Tsiolkovsky readings 2015
80th anniversary of Tsiolkovsky house museum
Tsiolkovsky readings 2016
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 55th anniversary
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 55th anniversary
1st stone in the foundation of Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics History 55th anniversary
Tsiolkovsky readings 2017
160th anniversary of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
50th anniversary of GMIK
50th anniversary of GMIK
160th anniversary of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
160th anniversary of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
GMIK new building opening 2021
GMIK new building opening 2021
GMIK new building opening 2021
Tsiolkovsky readings 2021
Tsiolkovsky readings 2021
Sergey Korolev – the most notable, vivid and famous Soviet space scientist, “The Father” of Soviet space program. He pioneered the first Satellite, first living creature – Laika, first Man in space and first ballistic missile launch from a submarine.
From 1933 Korolev was working in the Jet Propulsion Research Institute and was responsible for development of rocket planes. He was arrested in 1938 and sentenced to 10 years in prison (his superior – Ivan Kleimenov, the designer of famous BM-13 “Katyusha” was executed). In 1939 while being transferred from the Kolyma to Moscow he had to board the steamer Indigirka but missed due to the lack of space. Indigirka had sunk with the loss of 700 men. Korolev spent 2 years developing dive bombers under Tupolev and then was transferred to OKB-16 where he was dealing with jet rocketry applications. He was released in 1944.
Korolev took very active part in post war assessment of German rocket technology. He was under the cover of Soviet artillery officer, but due to a small glitch in the uniform he personally was “noted” by British intelligence. His most notable creation was R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile that was accepted by the military in 1957. It served all Korolev Firsts in space plus a first ever military application – it took a high alert duty during Cuban missile crisis in 1962. Korolev was highly classified scientist making absolutely no public appearances, except one occasion – “space wedding” of Nikolaev and Tereshkova, that was widely publicized.
Korolev was born in the town of Zhitomir (now Ukraine) therefore there are some Ukrainian covers devoted to the Father of the Soviet Space Program.
70th anniversary Baikonur
70th anniversary Star City
70th anniversary Zhitomir
70th anniversary philatelic exhibition in Zhitomir - souvenir sheet Zitomir - Korolev hometown (Ukraine).
70th anniversary Magadan "club" cover
"fantasy" postmark 40th anniversary of the Korolev designed RP-38 rocket plane first flight no such official cancellation ever existed
20th anniversary of 1st manned flight. Kaluga special cancellation + M/V Dolinsk round stamp
75th anniversary Baikonur
1100th anniversary of Zhitomir - Korolev hometown
1100th anniversary of Zhitomir - Korolev hometown
R/V Academic Sergey Korolev
R/V Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov stamp on the cover with Korolev commemoration cachet
80th anniversary Zhiromir special cancellation + Korolev museum postmark
85th anniversary Leninsk
NPO Energia 50th anniversary
50th anniversary of NPO Energia (now - RKK Energia - Rocket and Space Corporation). Sergey Korolev was the first chief designer of OKB-1 that became later "Energia" this cover flown on Soyuz TM-30 - last expedition to MIR
90th anniversary Zhitomir
90th anniversary Baikonur
90th anniversary Baikonur
40th anniversary of R-7 ballistic missile first flight
Korolev town 60th anniversary
eclectic cover .... I found it most suitable to be here
50th anniversary of R-7 ballistic missile first flight
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Pskov club cover
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Pskov club cover
official FDC commemorating 3 events: 50 years of space era 100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev 150th anniversary of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Zhitomir (Ukraine) club cover
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Zhitomir (Ukraine) club cover
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Koktebel - Crimea (Ukraine) club cover Korolev took very active part in gliding activities in 1920s and participated in the competitions in Koktebel. He also designed several gliders.
100th anniversary of Sergey Korolev Odessa
Zhitomir, Ukraine 2014
75th anniversary of Korolev space-research-town Space mission control center
75th anniversary of Korolev space-research-town RKK Energia
75th anniversary of Korolev space-research-town TSNIIMASH - Central Research Institute of Machine Building
75th anniversary of Korolev space-research-town NII Space Systems
75th anniversary of Korolev space-research-town Isayev Chemical Engineering Design Bureau
70th anniversary of RKK Engergia (OKB-1)
70th anniversary of RKK Engergia (OKB-1)
Chief Designers series Star City 2016
110th anniversary BaikonurSvyazInform
110th anniversary BaikonurSvyazInform
Roscosmos cover with ISS special postmark
Roscosmos cover with ISS special postmark
signed by Natalia Koroleva
GIRD and its legacy.
GIRD in Russian – Group of Study of Reactive Motion was a non-profit organization created in 1931 by enthusiastic scientists headed by Tikhonravov and Zander (Russian – Tsander). Friedrich Zander was born in Riga (Latvia) and became one of the pioneers of Russian and Soviet rocketry. He was a close follower of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and inspired Korolev by his energy and dedication – almost all of his time he was working even sleeping at his workplace. His motto was – “Let’s get to Mars!” Zander designed the first soviet liquid-propellant rocket – GIRD-X that successfully lifted off on Nov 25, 1933. Unfortunately Zander did not live to watch his creation – he died in March 1933.
In 1933 GIRD was united with Gas Dynamics Laboratory (GDL) and RNII – Reactive Research Institute, was formed under the supervision of Military Commissariat. The head of RNII became Kleimenov and Korolev – his Deputy. While Sergey Korolev designed and developed long-range rockets, Kleimenov took part in the research of rocket projectiles together with Georgy Langemak, their work came to light in the form of BM-13 rocket launcher, more famous under the nick-name “Katyusha”. Korolevs design of cruise missile “212” heavily relied on the first soviet liquid-propellant engine - ORD-65 developed by Valentin Glushko in 1936, who headed the liquid-propellant engine development of the RNII. Sadly in 1938 many of the RNII chief scientists were arrested and some were executed including Kleimenov, Langemak, Korolev and Glushko.
In 1944 the RNII (later known as NII-3) became a part of NII-1 that reported to the Ministry of Aviation.
Russian aviation pioneer and designer of the first Russian (and one of the firsts in the world) airplane. Mozhaisky officially patented his "air-flying projectile" in 1881 and in 1882 the airplane was ready for tests. It took off the runway and crashed. This Vinnitsa club cover commemorates 80 years from the "air-flying projectile" to Vostok space flight.
75th anniversary Riga club cover
75th anniversary Taganrog club cover
30th anniversary of Zander design launch Tartu club cover
50 years of first Soviet rockets launch - GIRD-9 and GIRD-X official cover with Nakhabino special postmark
Russian revolutionary and rocketry pioneer, took part in the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Sitting in prison and awaiting for the execution, Kibalchich designed an aeronautic device based on the powder engine with changing angles control.
110 anniversary Moscow official postmark
90th anniversary Poltava
80th anniversary of publishing his book - Conquest of interplanetary space
100th anniversary Kiev special postmark on Sergey Chizhov cover
Poltava
Poltava
Novosibirsk
95th anniversary Odessa
Chief Designers series
100th anniversary Moscow
Pskov club cover
100th anniversary Kazan
100th anniversary Moscow - official ITC Marka postcard
100th anniversary Odessa
one of the designers of BM-13 rocket launcher platform, famous "Katyusha" Odessa (Ukraine) club cover
1st engine proposed by V. Glushko and team in GLD - Gas-Dynamic laboratory
GIRD 09 rocket engine
Valentin Glushko designed this engine for Korolev "212" cruise missile
V. Glushko engines
V. Glushko engine
V. Glushko engine
designer of space communications and telemetry systems
was the chief “radioman” of the Soviet Union. After the WW2 he was involved in testing of German V-2 rocket systems then working closely with Pilyugin in NII-885. For more than 30 years he was a Chief Designer of the NII 885 – responsible for the development of spaceship and rocket control and radio systems. Ryazansky was a member of a Chief Designers Council “incredible six” led by Sergey Korolev. He took an active part in supporting R-5 and R-7 missiles, 1st Sputnik and Gagarin flights.
Chief designers series
Mosalsk
Kaluga
designer of manned spaceships Vostok, Voskhod, Soyuz as well as interplanetary probes - Luna, Mars, Venera. Soviet ASTP technical director. this privately designed card bears Bushuev 100th anniversary postmark
90th anniversary Baikonur
designer of the first underwater launched anti-ship cruise missile P-70 Amethyst ( SS-N-7 Starbright). Chelomey created a family of the ICBMs of which UR-100 and UR-500 were approved for mass usage. UR-500 became widely known as PROTON space launch vehicle. This BaikonurSvyazInform cover commemorates 100th anniversary of Vladimir Chelomey.
100th anniversary Baikonur
100th anniversary Moscow
100th anniversary Kaluga GMIK grey emblem
100th anniversary Kaluga GMIK blue emblem
From 1965 was a chief designer of Lavochkin bureau responsible for the success of interplanetary missions - Luna-9, Luna-10, Lunokhod, etc. Private design with Babakin dedicated cachet and Luna-9 50th anniversary official postmark
Private design with Babakin dedicated cachet and Luna-10 50th anniversary official postmark
100th anniversary Baikonur
100th anniversary Baikonur
100th anniversary Kaluga GMIK grey emblem
100th anniversary Kaluga GMIK blue emblem
Designer of interplanetary navigation and flight control systems. 100th anniversary official card and private cachet with Venera-3 50th anniversary postmark. Note special vignette for Venera-3 anniversary.
100th anniversary private card and cachet with Space Glory official postmark.
70th anniversary of RKK Energia (OKB-1)
Sergey Chizhov cachet
Alec Bartos cachet
Sarov - Russian center for nuclear research. Besides great involvement in Soviet space Program, Keldysh was one of the key scientists in the nuclear research. The special postmark commemorates 50th anniversary of the 1st soviet nuclear research center in Sarov.
He worked with Korolev on the field of ballistic missiles, where he first was in charge of guidance systems. As Sergei Korolev’s associate, he set up a rocket propulsion center in Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine which later formed the basis of his own OKB-586 design bureau in 1954. His bureau designed the R-12, R-16 and R-36, whose launch vehicle adaptations are known as Cosmos, Tsyklon, Dnepr respectively are still in use today.
80th anniversary - Baikonur special cancellation
soviet scientist and designer of the automatic control and management systems for missiles and space rockets. He led the design of control systems for R-7, various interplanetary probes, Proton launch vehicle and Buran spacecraft.
Ulyanovsk club cover, 1998
was a Soviet scientist, designer of jet launchers, rocket-space and combat launch systems. He was one of the founders of Russian cosmonautics. Barmin designed and developed the launch complexes for the first ICBMs including R-7, silo launched missiles R-14, R-12 and UR-100 as well as conventional Proton and Energia-Buran systems. Barmin developed equipment to take Moon and Venus sampling. At some point his bureau was tasked with a project of a first Moon base “Zvezda” (christened Barmin-city).
100th anniversary
was a Soviet scientist and designer in the field of applied mechanics and automatic control. He designed gyroscopic instruments and control systems for various missile and space systems including R-7, R-14, R-16, R-36, UR-100 and their numerous modifications, as well as a large number of space launch vehicles and spacecraft.
was one of the closest people to Sergey Korolev. He was a Soviet and Russian rocket designer, responsible for control systems of almost all early developed ballistic missiles and spacecraft. He was the author of a four-volume book “Rockets and People”, the definitive source of information about the history of the Soviet space program.
105th anniversary
was a Chief Marshal of the Artillery, the founder and first Commander in Chief of the Strategic Missile Corps. He advocated the usage of heavy ICBMs to deliver nuclear warheads instead of long-range bombers and supported Sergey Korolev in his development of famous R-7 that actually led to many space firsts. On October 24, 1960, Nedelin was killed in an R-16 missile explosion at Baikonur Cosmodrome – an event known as “Nedelin catastrophe”.
100th anniversary Baikonur
Took active part in support of early manned space flights from the military side. He was a head of State Commission for Voskhod, Luna, Mars and Venera launches, as well as Zond (soviet lunar program).
Penza
was a Soviet and Russian scientist in the area of radio communications and radiolocation. His theory of potential noise immunity gave scientists and engineers a tool for the synthesis of optimal signal processing in radio-communication, radiolocation, radio navigation and other system and had significant effect of the development of planetary radio-astronomy.
was the primary Soviet radio announcer during and after World War II. He announced on Radio Moscow all major international events in the 1940s–60s including the German attack on the Soviet Union in 1941, the surrender of Germany on 9 May 1945, the death of Joseph Stalin, and the all the space firsts.
Deputy CEO of FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) On April 12, 1961 signed an official FAI certificate of the first manned spaceflight
The founder of the Soviet school of sea launched ballistic missiles. The cover is devoted to 80th anniversary and "probably" was launched on the submarine based R-29 Volna ICBM
One of the main designers of first Soviet ICBM - R-7
This small section is devoted to Soviet stratospheric research flights using giant high altitude balloons named stratostats. Although there is more to write than to show, but anyway …
Inspired by Auguste Piccard's experiments of 1930–1932 Soviet military aviation and engineering enthusiasts have pushed towards record breaking glory. The first of the balloons – USSR-1 (CCCP-1) has been launched on September 30, 1933 with the crew of three and reached an altitude of 19 km landing safely. Several months later on January 30, 1934 an ill-fated record breaking flight of Osoaviakhim-1 took place. After being cancelled several times and finally lifted off in the most unfavorable conditions the balloon reached unthinkable 22km (2000 meters above planned maximum altitude). During the descent the stratostat lost its buoyancy and plunged into an uncontrolled fall, disintegrating in the lower atmosphere and killing the crew. Officially the cause was overheating while remaining on the peak altitude for a long time that resulted in losing a significant volume of lifting gas required for the safe descent.
In the same 1934, on September 5 newly designed USSR-2 was destroyed on the ground by the fire when balloon cover static electricity ignited the incoming gas pumped into the lifting body. On June 26, 1935 USSR-1bis was launched with the crew of three. This balloon was actually a renovated USSS-1 and reached an altitude of 16km. During the descend it appeared that gas was leaking from the body increasing the speed. All crew members jumped from the gondola and landed safely using their parachutes. The enlightened stratostat landed softly as well and was actually considered as a successful flight.
On September 18, 1935 another record breaking attempt has been made using enormous USSR-3 designed to reach unthinkable altitude of 25-27km. unfortunately, after reaching 800 meters the statostat started to loose gas, rapidly descending and finally crash-landed severely injuring all three crew members. On October 12, 1939 USSR VR-60 “Komsomol” reached an altitude of 16km and performed all planned scientific program activities. During its descent the balloon caught fire forcing all crew members to abandon it using parachutes. The burning gondola crash-landed but the commander of the crew with the help of local workers managed to extract the documentation.
The last attempt to bring the giant balloon to the record breaking altitude has been made on June 22, 1940 in totally redesigned Osoaviakhim-2. Despite being the most advanced high altitude balloon at the time, stratostat failed to excel. Reaching 10 meters its gondola unexpectedly separated from the balloon and crashed slightly injuring the crew. The balloon body hovered for some time and landed several kilometers away. In 1941 the war stopped all the research programs connected with high altitude balloons paving the way to the “rocket age”.
10th anniversary
50th anniversary FDC
50th anniversary mini-sheet
1964
50th anniversary