An exhibition of unique archival documents titled “The Development of Rocket Engineering in Russia,” dedicated to the life and work of the Soviet scientist and outstanding designer Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, has opened at the Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev.

The exhibition was prepared by the university in collaboration with the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), as well as leading enterprises such as JSC “RCC “Progress” and PJSC “ODK-Kuznetsov.”

On behalf of Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, the acting Minister of Industry and Trade of the Samara Region, Denis Gurkov, greeted the participants at the opening of the exhibition. He told students about how the Samara Region became one of the key centers of the aerospace industry.

“The Samara Region can truly be called the space capital of Russia. It was here that the serial production of the first intercontinental ballistic missile, the R-7, was launched, followed by the ‘Vostok’ and ‘Molniya’ launch vehicles. The ‘Voskhod’ and ‘Soyuz’ space rockets were also developed and produced here. The region’s contribution to space exploration is immense, and today many of us—students, educators, scientists, and industry workers—continue this important work,” noted Denis Gurkov. “This exhibition will undoubtedly help draw the attention of young people to our country’s achievements in space and inspire a new generation to make their own accomplishments.”

“The exhibition of archival documents related to the life and work of the great designer S.P. Korolev is undoubtedly of great interest to students who plan to connect their future with the rocket and space industry. I am grateful to the acting Minister of Industry, Denis Gurkov, for his detailed and open conversation with future engineers. I am confident that this meeting will help students determine their career paths after graduating from the university,” said Mikhail Leonov, Vice-Rector of Samara University.

It is worth noting that the exhibition was organized in accordance with the decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2022, at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects, the President of Russia identified improving the quality of engineering education as one of the state’s priority tasks. This task was further developed in 2023 at the Presidium of the State Council, dedicated to the development of the country’s industry under sanctions pressure, as well as within the framework of relevant instructions from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on February 7, 2024.

The exhibition will run until November 28, 2024, at the following address: Samara, Molodogvardeyskaya Street, Building 151, Block 1.

Source: Government of the Samara region.