Kaluga is the cradle of astronautics. It was in this Russian city that K. E. Tsiolkovsky lived and worked for forty years. Yu. A. Gagarin, S. P. Korolev, A. L. Chizhevsky came here. Residents are proud of the amazing history of their city.
Amazing park
Debating which city is called the cradle of astronautics and why, we note that it was Kaluga that was awarded such a high title, because the "father" of the space age worked here. The city has a Tsiolkovsky park with an obelisk. The scientist liked to walk here, talking about possible launches of aircraft outside our planet. It is here that Tsiolkovsky Konstantin Eduardovich is buried, the inscription in the park testifies to this.
Museum of Cosmonautics
It was opened on October 3, 1967. The State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics named after K. E. Tsiolkovsky became the first museum of this theme. The exposition dedicated to the history of Baikonur is of particular interest to visitors. Everyone who decides to visit the cradle of astronautics must get acquainted with the starting key presented at the exhibition, as well as with a concrete fragment,which melted after the launch of the "Proton" from the site of the cosmodrome.
Interactive Features
The Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics invites visitors to take some tests in order to fully experience the scale of the Universe.
Special weight terminals are popular with children. Nearby there is an apparatus that offers tasks for the possession of space knowledge. Upon successful completion of all tasks, a letter of thanks from the museum management, as well as a special electronic certificate, will be sent to the mail of the registered guest.
The cradle of astronautics is the place where every element reminds of space. For example, in the museum you can try on a real spacesuit, find yourself inside the Mir space station. Inside the station, a dummy astronaut can be seen operating a manual docking. The planet Earth is visible from the window of the Mir orbital complex. Under the porthole there is a sleeping place that resembles a ship's cabin, a train compartment.
The cradle of astronautics is proud that it was here that projects were created that allowed humanity to rush into the expanses of the Universe.
The Oka River flows near the museum, you can admire it from the windows of the museum.
Ideas of the "father" of astronautics
Tsiolkovsky Konstantin Eduardovich calculated, worked out the drawings of the operating model of a manned space rocket in 1896-1923. Engineers translated his ideas intoreality and assembled a sample based on drawings.
In the main hall of the museum there is an exposition that tells about the history of Russian cosmonautics. Visitors entering the walls of this "space temple" are amazed at the variety of technology on display.
The uniqueness of the collection lies in the fact that ideal copies of satellites, spacecraft descending to the Moon, automatic stations designed to study the surface of Venus, Mars.
The history of Kaluga is closely connected with space exploration, which is why the Museum of K. E. Tsiolkovsky is one of the recommended visits for those tourists who ended up in the city.
In addition to various copies of satellites, an exposition has been created, which presents rocket engines. A special place is reserved for unusual tools, without which it is impossible to carry out repairs in zero gravity.
For example, there are dummies of two anchor keys, as well as an original instrument from the second half of the twentieth century.
Unique exhibits
Only in this museum there is an original descent vehicle that passed through the atmosphere of our planet. Pilot-cosmonaut V. F. Bykovsky piloted the Vostok-5 spacecraft. The flight took place in June 1963.
The Cradle of Cosmonautics is justifiably proud of this exhibit, which makes it possible to understand the grandeur of the work carried out in the Soviet Union in the exploration of space.
It's hard to imagine how much effort, work, intelligence, scientificdevelopments are implemented in technical exhibits presented in the halls of the museum.
Soviet cosmonaut Popovich believed that space is the integration of all scientific knowledge accumulated by mankind in the field of geography, biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science.
“Only the person who owns the various skills inherent in representatives of other professions, that is, knows everything drop by drop,” considered the founder of astronautics, could become an astronaut. That is why increased demands have always been made on the conquerors of space. In addition to excellent physical fitness, the astronaut had to have a certain intellectual level.
A monument to Yu. A. Gagarin, the first conqueror of outer space, was erected at the exit from the museum.
House of the "father" of astronautics
It is in Kaluga that the house-museum of K. E. Tsiolkovsky is located. The first thing that catches the eye of visitors is the unusual modesty, purposefulness, asceticism of the scientist. It is hard to imagine that in this small wooden house, located on the banks of the Oka, the foundations of world cosmonautics were created. The history of Kaluga has interesting facts from Tsiolkovsky's biography, family photographs, excerpts from his manuscripts and drawings. All this is presented in the house-estate, available for tourists to review.
The scientist in the summer enjoyed cycling, and in the winter - skating along the Oka River. After an illness in childhood, he lost his hearing, so the estate houses a collection of differentauditory funnels used by Tsiolkovsky. His favorite mug has been preserved, on which there is an inscription: "Poverty teaches, happiness spoils." It was this saying that the scientist liked to say, it fully characterizes the features of his personality.
Chizhevsky Museum
Who are they - honorary citizens of Kaluga? One of these people is A. L. Chizhevsky. This man became an inventor in various fields. It was he who became the creator of a unique chandelier that saves hundreds of people from constant headaches.
The museum has a huge collection of their original designs:
- in the form of a globe;
- chandeliers with mustaches;
- huge ceiling lamp;
- antenna models.
All these unusual exhibits were freely available, so the museum contains original industrial products.
In 1924, Chizhevsky was looking for the relationship between physical processes occurring on the Sun and historical events observed on Earth.
The scientist was able to identify the pattern of such processes, which was appreciated by his contemporaries.
Currently, many studies conducted by Chizhevsky did not waste their relevance, they are used in science and technology.
Neither Chizhevsky nor Tsiolkovsky had a special technical education. It is quite possible that this is why they have become extraordinary personalities, devoid of various classic stamps and restrictions.
These scientists boldly took on any questions involving the use of severalscientific fields.
Pride of Kaluga
Considering the legendary figures whose fate is connected with this city, one more person cannot be ignored. Karpov Alexander Terentyevich - this name is known to many townspeople. He was born on October 17, 1917 in one of the villages of the Kaluga region. After graduating from the factory school in Kaluga, he worked as a mechanic in one of the tool shops of the local machine-building plant. The young man combined work at the factory with training at the flying club.
After serving in the Red Army, he successfully graduated from the Kachin Aviation Flight School and was assigned to a unit stationed in Ukraine.
From the first days of the war, Junior Lieutenant Karpov was on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War in the 121st Fighter Aviation Regiment, flew the Yak-1 aircraft.
By the fall of 1943, Captain A. T. Karpov flew 370 sorties, conducted 87 battles, shot down 23 Nazi planes. For heroic dedication he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded the Gold Star medal, the Order of Lenin. Major A. T. Karpov died in the autumn of 1944 as a result of a plane crash. Kaluga is proud of its pilot, the city has a museum that has personal items, as well as some historical documents.
Symbols of the city
What does the flag of the city of Kaluga look like? This administrative center, located in the north of the Central Russian Upland, less than 200 kilometers from Moscow, on the high bank of the Oka, has its ownofficial symbols. The first mention of the city dates back to 1371. It was at this time that Kaluga was first mentioned in the letter of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd, it is considered the time of the official appearance of the city.
In March 1777, Empress Catherine II issued a Decree approving the coat of arms of Kaluga. In the blue field is a wavy silver belt (Oka), which is accompanied at the head by a gold, decorated with gems and pearls, purple backing of the Russian State Crown of the period of the reign of Catherine the Great.
The motto "Cradle of Cosmonautics" is inscribed in silver letters on the red ribbon. On top of this ribbon is a silver figure formed by a ball. Three wands extend from it, facing down and to the left of the shield.
In 2001, the flag of Kaluga was approved. Two parts of the cloth are occupied by the image of the historical coat of arms of the city, and one third is reserved for the red vertical strip, on which the satellite is located. In the upper part of the Kaluga flag is the imperial crown of the reign of Catherine the Great. Thus, the flag of the "cradle of astronautics" took into account the historical continuity from the 18th to the 21st century. The blue color used on the flag of Kaluga is a symbol of selflessness, courage, struggle for freedom and peace. Gold is a sign of greatness, intelligence, strength, generosity. The new flag over the city was installed on September 14, 2001. Kaluga also has its own anthem, written by V. Volkov to music by A. Tipakov.
Interesting facts
There are many versions associated with the dateappearance of the name of the city. At the end of the 14th century, Kaluga became part of the Moscow Principality, so since that time its rapid development has been going on. There are several theories regarding the origin of the city's name. For example, according to one theory, it originated from the phrase "near the meadow."
In the 16th century, it was on this territory that an important historical event took place, which is familiar to us as standing on the Ugra River (1489). Historians are convinced that this failed battle was the end of the period of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. In fact, Russian cities have repeatedly had to fight off attacks from the Tatar hordes.
The beginning of the 17th century turned out to be a difficult period for the city. At first, supporters of False Dmitry I settled here, then Marina Mnishek hid in the city. Due to hostilities, the villages and villages that were located near Kaluga were completely devastated. Due to the miserable existence of the Kaluga population, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich exempted Kaluga from paying various taxes for three years.
During the reformation of the church, it is Kaluga that becomes the center of the schism.
At the end of the eighteenth century, Catherine II visited the city, and construction began in Kaluga according to the master plan approved by the Empress herself.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, a people's militia was formed here. It is Kaluga that becomes a reliable rear for the troops, for which the city receives personal gratitude from Field Marshal M. I. Kutuzov.
Conclusion
The city is proud of its historical heritage, but a specialAttention is paid to the time when the creator of Russian cosmonautics K. E. Tsiolkovsky lived and worked here. It was in Kaluga that he lived most of his life - 43 years. A provincial and modest teacher turned into a legendary personality, known in all countries involved in space technology and research. During his life, the scientist managed to write a huge number of different works related to rocket dynamics, aeronautics, astronomy, and aviation.
In Kaluga, all places connected with the life and work of the “father of cosmonautics” are reverently treated, so the memorial house where the scientist lived and worked has been preserved here. Thanks to the efforts of Yu. A. Gagarin and S. P. Korolev, it was in Kaluga that the world's first unique museum of astronautics was created. In its halls, visitors can get acquainted with the first space satellites of the Earth, modern orbital stations.
The halls of the museum have authentic specimens of tools used in carrying out repair work at orbital stations, models of unusual engineering structures. Here is a complete history of the development of rocket technology, there are exhibitions related to the study of the planets of the solar system, the study of the artificial satellite of the earth-moon.
Citizens are especially proud of the Planetarium. It also became the first museum complex in the world to use optical-mechanical and digital projection, which allows you to get a unique effect of the real presence of visitors in outer space.
Projection of the created starry sky inThe Kaluga Planetarium is complemented by a realistic view of the Milky Way, clusters of stars, nebulae. Visitors can enjoy views of the earth from space, get to Mars in a matter of seconds, visit the moon. Kaluga is a city that has a rich history. It can rightfully be considered the birthplace of Russian cosmonautics.
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been restored in the city. After the restoration, the Church of John the Baptist on Kirov and the Myrrh-bearing Women appeared in all its glory before the townspeople and guests of Kaluga.
The central cathedral, the Trinity Church, has been put in order. Unique is the fact that the construction of churches in Kaluga took place at different times. On them you can trace the historical heritage of the city. In recent years, the city authorities have been trying to allocate material resources to renovate the Tsiolkovsky Museum-Estate, because Kaluga is considered the "cradle of astronautics" for him.
