Great Minds: Sergei Korolev, The Chief Designer

Sergey Korolev, a pivotal figure in space exploration, worked in anonymity for much of his career. Despite early setbacks, including imprisonment, he led the Soviet Union's rocket development, reverse-engineering the German V2 to create the R1 and R2 rockets. His most significant achievement, the R7 rocket, marked the start of the space age by launching Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. Korolev's designs laid the foundation for future Soviet and Russian space missions, including launching the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space. His legacy continues to influence modern rocketry.

What challenges did Korolev face during his career, particularly during the Stalin era?

Explain the impact of the Vostok rocket on human space exploration.