Bryansk branch of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Bryansk, Russia

V. A. Bobkov, Dr. Hist., Associate Prof., Dept. of Theory, History of State and Law and Humanities, e-mail: vladimir.bobkoff-2009@yandex.ru

The scientific publication is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin. The article analyzes the place that foundry occupied in the life of the first cosmonaut on the planet, and also carried out a scientific reconstruction of the first metallurgical experiments in orbit during the era of space exploration. The study claims that foundry in the life of cosmonaut Gagarin was “as important to him as space”. It is noted that the first metallurgical experiments in space began during the Gagarin era, and space metallurgy was then created. Various theoretical plans of the Soviet scientists led in 1961-1974 by M. V. Keldysh, the President of the USSR Academy of Sciences, were put it into practice in this area. As a result of the colossal work of Soviet scientists and cosmonauts, space metallurgy became an obvious reality, and the USSR became the absolute leader in its promotion.

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