Museum of Cosmonautics

The Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow is a unique space where the history of space exploration comes alive through hundreds of thousands of exhibits. Located at the base of the famous "Monument to the Conquerors of Space" at VDNH, the museum opens its doors to the world of cosmic discoveries, technological achievements, and heroic feats of the conquerors of the starry frontier.

History of the Museum’s Creation

The appearance of the museum is inseparably linked to the construction of the majestic stele "To the Conquerors of Space," which soared into the sky in 1964. The titanium structure, 107 meters high, depicting the rapid ascent of a rocket, became an architectural symbol of the Soviet Union’s space achievements. The monument’s unveiling was timed to the seventh anniversary of the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite. The idea to create a museum at the foot of the monument belonged to the outstanding engineer Sergey Pavlovich Korolev. His proposal received official approval in 1967, but the project took more than a decade to complete. In April 1981, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight, the grand opening of the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics took place. The initial exhibition included 106 exhibits, among them the spacesuits of the first cosmonauts, models of spacecraft, and planets. The interior design created the illusion of being in outer space, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of interstellar travel. A major reconstruction of the museum took place between 2006 and 2009 and radically transformed its appearance. The exhibition space increased fourfold to 3,720 square meters, while the total area of the museum reached 8,400 square meters. Today, the collection includes over 100,000 items and continues to grow with new exhibits.

Structure of the Museum Exhibition

The modern exhibition space is organized chronologically and includes eight thematic halls, each dedicated to a specific stage in the development of astronautics:

• "Dawn of the Space Age" — dedicated to the beginning of space research and its first achievements
• "Creators of the Space Age" — tells the story of outstanding scientists and engineers
• "Orbital Home in Space" — showcases life and work on modern space stations
• "Exploration of the Moon and Planets of the Solar System" — presents spacecraft designed for the study of celestial bodies
• "Space Exploration for Humanity" — demonstrates the practical applications of space technology
• "International Cooperation in Space" — highlights joint space projects of different countries
• "International Space Park" — introduces visitors to the space industry of Russia and other nations
• "History and Culture of the Space Era" — combines art and the theme of space

Key Exhibits of the Museum

Replica of the First Artificial Earth Satellite

A full-scale model of the legendary spacecraft launched in October 1957. The spherical body, 58 cm in diameter and weighing 83.6 kg, is equipped with four antennas reaching 2.9 meters in length. The satellite was placed into orbit using the R-7 launch vehicle, created under Korolev’s supervision. During its 92 days in orbit, the spacecraft completed 1,440 revolutions around the planet, transmitting valuable scientific data to Earth. Thanks to the information obtained, scientists were able to study the upper layers of the atmosphere and ionosphere and assess the impact of space conditions on technical systems. This flight marked the beginning of the space age of humanity.

Belka and Strelka — the First Space Travelers

In August 1960, the spacecraft "Sputnik-5" delivered an unusual crew to orbit: two dogs, Belka and Strelka, along with mice, rats, and insects. It was the first successful orbital flight of living beings with a safe return to Earth. Their predecessor, the dog Laika, had gone to space three years earlier but perished a few hours after launch. Belka and Strelka spent about a day in orbit, completing 17 revolutions around the planet, and successfully returned home. The story of these heroic dogs gained worldwide fame. They visited schools and children’s institutions, and their achievement was immortalized in books and cartoons. One of Strelka’s puppies was even gifted to Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of the U.S. President. After long lives, the dogs were preserved as taxidermy specimens now displayed alongside the "Sputnik-5" capsule.

Orbital Station “Mir” — the Pride of the Museum

A full-scale model of the "Mir" station is the museum’s largest exhibit. The original station was launched into orbit in 1986 and became the world’s first modular orbital complex. Over its 15 years of operation, "Mir" hosted cosmonauts from 12 countries, and more than 30 people performed spacewalks from it. Initially designed for a five-year service life, the station operated until 2001. After reaching the end of its lifespan, its modules were deorbited and sank in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean, informally known as the spacecraft cemetery. Visitors can enter one of the mock-up modules and see the real living conditions of cosmonauts — sleeping quarters, workspaces, and scientific equipment — offering a unique chance to feel like part of an orbital crew.

"Lunokhod-1" — Pioneer of Extraterrestrial Exploration

In November 1970, the first lunar rover in history — a remotely operated vehicle for moving across celestial bodies — landed on the Moon. "Lunokhod-1" had two main tasks: to study lunar soil and cosmic radiation, and to help select a landing site for a future manned spacecraft. The rover’s design is impressive: over four meters long and about two meters wide and tall. Its maximum speed was 2 km/h. It operated for nearly a year, traveling around 10 km across the Moon’s surface and transmitting a large amount of scientific data. Communication with the rover was lost in September 1971, and its exact location was confirmed only in 2010 by American researchers. The museum displays a full-size model of "Lunokhod-1" alongside the control console used by operators.

Mars Rover — the First Visit to the Red Planet

In 1971, the Soviet automatic station "Mars-3" delivered the first Mars rover to the planet’s surface. The mission aimed to study the terrain and soil of Mars, about which little was known at the time. The landing was successful, and the rover even managed to transmit the first blurry image of the Martian surface. However, 14.5 seconds after transmission began, communication was lost. Possible causes include the detachment of the orbital relay station or a powerful dust storm. Despite the short mission, the successful landing of the device on Mars was a remarkable achievement of Soviet cosmonautics. A full-scale model of the Mars rover is displayed on the museum’s upper floor.

Other Notable Exhibits

The museum’s collection also features many other unique artifacts. Among them — the descent capsule of the "Vostok" spacecraft that brought Yuri Gagarin back from his historic flight. Also displayed are modern "Glonass-M" navigation satellites, various orbital stations, and a model of an interplanetary ship based on the drawings of Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky. Of particular interest are the personal belongings of cosmonauts, spacesuits from different generations, archival documents, and photographs. The art collection includes paintings and graphic works on space themes, including pieces by Alexei Leonov — the first person to walk in open space.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

The museum is open six days a week. Closed on Mondays. Hours vary by day:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday — 10:00 to 19:00
• Thursday, Saturday — 10:00 to 21:00
• Ticket offices close 30 minutes before the museum closes

During holidays, the schedule may vary; up-to-date information is available on the museum’s official website.

Ticket Prices

The museum offers several ticket categories:

• Full ticket — 450 rubles
• Discount ticket (schoolchildren and students) — 300 rubles
• Family ticket (two adults and two children aged 7–18) — 1300 rubles

Discounts are available for pensioners, disabled visitors, veterans, large families, and other groups. Tickets can be purchased both at the museum and online via the official website. Every month, on the third Thursday, the museum is open for free admission.

Location and Transport

The Museum of Cosmonautics is located at 111 Mira Avenue, next to VDNH Park. There are several ways to get there: Metro and Monorail:

• Metro station "VDNH" — a few minutes’ walk to the museum
• Monorail stations: "Ulitsa Akademika Koroleva", "Vystavochny Tsentr", or "Ulitsa Sergeya Eisensteina"

Ground transport: numerous bus routes go to the "Metro VDNH" stop — 76, 136, 311, 536, 599, 803, 834, 903, m2, m53, t36, t73, t76, s585, and others.

Educational Programs and Events

The Museum of Cosmonautics actively engages in cultural and educational activities. The facility includes a cinema hall with 98 seats and a conference hall for 130 people, where the following events are regularly held:

• Themed lectures and meetings with cosmonauts
• Educational programs for school and university students
• Temporary exhibitions devoted to various aspects of astronautics
• Scientific conferences and symposia

The museum also operates a branch — the House-Museum of Academician S.P. Korolev on 1st Ostankinskaya Street, where visitors can explore the life and work environment of the great engineer.

Useful Tips for Visitors

To make your visit as informative and comfortable as possible, it is recommended to:

1. Plan your visit on weekdays to avoid long lines
2. Book a guided tour for detailed commentary on the exhibits
3. Allocate at least two to three hours for the exhibition
4. Buy tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and holidays
5. Visit the museum shop for space-themed souvenirs

Conclusion

The Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow is a unique cultural space where the history of space exploration unfolds through authentic artifacts of the space age. It is a place to not only expand your knowledge of the universe but also to feel a connection to humanity’s greatest achievements. The museum’s exhibition is equally engaging for both children and adults. Interactive elements, the opportunity to peek inside spacecraft, and authentic relics of space flights make the visit unforgettable. Each year, more than 750,000 people visit the museum — and this number continues to grow. For those planning a trip to Moscow, visiting the Museum of Cosmonautics is an excellent way to touch the history of great space achievements and find inspiration for new discoveries. Professional guides will help uncover little-known facts about the exhibits and answer any questions about the conquest of space.