Engineer & Scientist Soviet Union
Sergei Korolev
Chief Designer · Soviet space program
Leading the Soviet rocket program that launched Sputnik, the first satellite, and Vostok 1, the first crewed spaceflight
About
Born
1907
Died
1966
Nationality
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union's lead rocket engineer through the 1950s and early 1960s, kept anonymous during his lifetime and known publicly only as "the Chief Designer." His R-7 rocket family launched Sputnik 1 in 1957 and Yuri Gagarin's Vostok 1 flight in 1961. He had earlier been imprisoned in the Gulag during Stalin's purges before being reinstated to lead the rocket program.
Frequently asked about Sergei Korolev
- What is Sergei Korolev known for?
- Leading the Soviet rocket program that launched Sputnik, the first satellite, and Vostok 1, the first crewed spaceflight
- What is Sergei Korolev's role at Soviet space program?
- Sergei Korolev is the Chief Designer at Soviet space program.