Space Museum Moscow

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is the place we would like to tell you about and invite you to explore on our Moscow private tours. And to avoid any confusion upfront, we will name the museum’s other possible titles – Memorial Museum of Astronautics or simply Space Museum in Moscow. 

Exhibits to do with Gagarin’s Space Flight

The whole world was shaken in 1961, April 12, by the breathtaking news of the country of the Soviets: the “Vostok” Spacecraft with Yuri Gagarin aboard was launched into space! Gagarin thus became both the first human to travel to space and the first to orbit the Earth.

It was so sensational that people listened to the news with tears in their eyes. They realized it was the greatest scientific triumph, a defining moment in the history of mankind.

In the first exposition hall of the museum you can watch legendary chronicles of the 60s devoted to the first launches and feel the tremor of excitement at Gagarin’s cheerfully reporting his being ready for the experimental flight. You can see a broad smile on his face… No one could say then it would be a success. It is after he returned from his mission that he became a worldwide celebrity. But how did he feel and behave some minutes before the flight? Thanks to the chronicles displayed in the museum you can state he was really a brave man.

Isn’t it amazing to get to see the spacesuit Gagarin was wearing and the ejectable cabin of Vostok Spacecraft in which he landed? It’s all here, at your arm’s length.

You may also wish to learn about another notable Soviet era museum in Moscow:Stalin's Bunker Moscow

Spacecraft Models of the Soviet Space Program Creators 

For many centuries people raised their eyes to the sky. They were curious if there was life there, they wanted to know if other planets of the Universe were inhabited. The bravest of them dared to dream of reaching stars and other planets. The cleverest of them racked their brains trying to find out if it is possible to overcome terrestrial gravitation.

A modest teacher of physics and maths from a small Russian town of Kaluga did a lot of thorough aerodynamical study, made thousands of calculations and experiments, created hundreds of molds and patterns to prove that a rocket could perform space flight. His name was Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. He managed to derive a formula of jet propulsion and develop space philosophy; he became a pioneer of the astronautic theory.

You will learn more about him and see his model of a spaceship as well as technical models of the first Soviet satellites and spaceships designed by the founder of practical cosmonautics and lead Soviet rocket engineer Sergey Korolev. For years Korolev – the Space Program Director – was hardly known outside of a small group of people involved in the project due to the high level of secrecy.

Later Developments of Space Engineering

This Moscow Space Museum is the right place to see and even touch technical duplicates of the first satellites or Sputniks of the Earth and genuine descent vehicles and spacesuits, look into the living compartment of spaceship “Soyuz”, enter the model of the manned space complex “Mir” built in the actual size, view the famous Moon research vehicle or lunar rover, satellites launched to Mars and Venus, examine the newest spaceships and models of cosmodromes of Russia and other countries.

On the total area of 8 500 square meters the museum can help you make acquaintance with quite a number of fascinating exhibits you will never forget.

• The museum al​lows taking pictures for an additional fee. It is advisable to get the permission as there are many unique exhibits there.

Monument to the Conquerors of Space

The museum is located in the stylobate of the monument ‘To the Conquerors of  Space” shaped as a rocket with a metal trail made of polished titanium which total height is 110 m. The monument erected in 1964 is one of most famous landmarks of the city.

Opening Hours and Address

Opening Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm

Thursday: noon – 9 pm                                                                

Monday – closed

Address: 111 Prospekt Mira, VDNKh metro station. 

If going from the downtown by metro: get on the first or second car of the train, get off at VDNKh station and take the nearest exit. After exiting the station turn left and move towards the Monument to the Conquerors of Space. 

Moscow Space museum Private Tour

Kremlin Tour will be glad to arrange a tour of the Memorial Museum of Astronautics during one of Moscow private tours. It will exciting and interesting for visitors of all ages.