On a spring day in 1961, namely on April 12, the inhabitants of the whole world recognized the name of the man who had opened space to people.
From the sensational newspaper headlines read by the tongue-twister of enthusiastic radio reports in all possible languages, and, finally, television programs, it became known what the name of the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin was called. An ordinary word meaning one of the four cardinal points. The name does not say anything about this, does not reveal any riddles. But there were many questions, here are few answers.
A bit of science fiction
Of course, if such an event had happened forty years earlier, in the twenties, one can only guess what name the first space rocket would receive . In those years, as usual, he would probably be called “International-1,” or some cunning abbreviation corresponding to the then party fashion. For example, "Strasovkosom" (Country of Soviets in space). Or "Vladlenkos" (Vladimir Lenin in the same place). Indeed, even the post of Deputy People's Commissar for Maritime Affairs was designated as "Zamkompomord." In general, they would come up with something expressive.
And if the first cosmonaut were sent into orbit under Stalin, then perhaps he would have carried on his corps the name of the leader, “the father of the peoples”.
Another name for rocket, military
If a professional military, classified rocket launcher was asked about the name of the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin for real, he would answer (observing the privacy regime, and only to those who had the "first clearance"), which is correct - R-7. Because it was this ballistic missile that was the carrier that launched the famous Soviet pilot into orbit. But just asking such questions was fraught. Firstly, it was still necessary to find out who to approach with them, and even such insidious intelligence as the CIA was beyond the power. And secondly, practically everything related to Soviet space research was kept secret.
Tricky questions to Gagarin and his witty answers
On April 16, 1961, the world's first astronaut came to a press conference at which correspondents of all news agencies could ask him any, even the most tricky questions. At that time, they knew only what the name of the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin was called, the weight of its payload (5 tons) and a few other parameters announced earlier by academician Keldysh. The hero smiled charmingly, willingly and witty answered all the questions of the interviewers, but did not provide new technical information. Until 1968, when the Vostok lander was an exhibit of the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, even the shape of the inhabited compartment remained a secret, not to mention sophisticated devices that ensure vital activity and landing of the capsule. There were reasons for such a veil of mystery. The Americans literally stepped on their heels, but they were always two or three months late, which greatly upset President Kennedy and other important people in the White House, and not only that. Even insignificant at first glance details could lead overseas designers to the right direction, and priority would be lost. Experts from the United States made assumptions about the layout of the "East", but, as time has shown, they were all incorrect.
“East” and “Zenith” - twin brothers
So, everyone knows what the name of the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin was called, “Vostok-1.” But the word "Zenith" until 1968 almost did not say anything to anyone. Only a few knew about the true and main task, which they solved by designing the returnable head part of a space rocket. In addition to delivering nuclear weapons, the R-7 could put into orbit a reconnaissance satellite equipped with heavy-duty optics and photographic equipment. With great difficulty, Keldysh and the Queen managed to add the words about manned flight to the top-secret government decree. So the spacecraft Yuri Gagarin became an example of conversion, while its main purpose was to conduct military intelligence.
And again about the story
Time has shown that the great scientist S.P. Korolev and his remarkable team are right. Decades have passed, and today they rarely remember spy satellites, clear images of Soviet and American defense objects, ballistic mega-deaths aimed at each other and other terrible realities of the Cold War. But all of humanity remembers the name of the ship Yuri Gagarin, knows about our space priority and pronounces the name of the pioneer of space with respect and love. This can not be changed.