COSMONAUTS ARE GO! AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

The Russian Space programme - one of the leading scientific achievements of the 20th century - is being turned into a major new exhibition for London's Science Museum.

The exhibition features stunning artefacts which have been loaned from institutions all over Russia, including landing capsules, space suits and satellites - many of these have never been seen outside of the country. Narratives include the role of the 'Space Race' in shaping Russia's identity and its uses in national propaganda, as well as the influence of Russian culture and philosophy that underpinned the Russian peoples' dedication to human space exploration. The exhibition celebrates Russia's groundbreaking achievements, including being the first to launch a satellite, land a physical object on the moon and the successful mission seeing Uri Gagarin as the first man in space.

Photograph courtesy of Science Museum, London