What if Yuri Gagarin survived? Dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the cosmonaut

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

He could well have been good, become a general or even a marshal. And, probably, he would reveal many secrets. Or maybe it's for the best that they are still behind a dense veil. After all, everything mysterious, which has become a reality, ceases to excite and disturb. And so - remember what is known, discuss. Interestingly, and at times - terribly interesting.

Gagarin's life is a take-off and a tragedy. He was the chosen one of fate, but not her darling. Happiness accompanied him, and then misfortune. From a stormy start in his career to the tragic end of his life, the path turned out to be very short …

At first, there were hundreds of applicants for the first flight into space. Then there were dozens. Then a duet emerged: a native of the Smolensk region - the village of Klushino, Gzhatsky region, Yuri Gagarin and German Titov, born in the village of Verkh-Zhilino, Kosikhinsky region, Altai Territory. It was rumored that the choice was up to Khrushchev. But Nikita Sergeevich shrugged his shoulders - they say, both Gagarin and Titov are coming. The biographies of both of them and their data were indeed impeccable.

There was one more contender for the first flight - the same age as Gagarin, Crimean Grigory Nelyubov. He, too, was imprinted in history, but - in passing. But he could become the protagonist of a space story …

At the beginning of April 1961, the name of the first cosmonaut was unknown. As, however, and the exact date of the flight. But the Cosmonaut Training Center was in a hurry - according to classified information, the United States was preparing to launch its own astronaut

This supposedly had to happen before April 20. To be late meant to lose the space race that had begun. Therefore, the chief designer S. P. The queen was incessantly urged on by the impatient Khrushchev. Sergei Pavlovich objected: they say, not everything is ready, there are problems, the cosmonaut may die, and so on. However, it was all in vain - the master of the Kremlin decided everything, had to be done.

I involuntarily imagined: what if it were not for Khrushchev who ruled the country at that time, but Stalin. Ours in space, perhaps, would have flown not in 1961, but earlier. And not only science would move progress, but also a domineering dry hand and a quiet voice with a Georgian accent …

Anyway. Khrushchev, too, could order so that the veins shook. Korolev, himself a tough, hot-tempered, "gulped": before the war he was arrested, was in a camp, - was not frightened, of course, but obeyed. However, just in case, he ordered to prepare three versions of the message. The first is triumphant: Soviet people are in space for the first time. Hooray! - and other praises. The second is about malfunctions in the mechanism of the satellite ship and its emergency landing. In the same place - an appeal to the governments of other countries with a request to assist in the search and rescue of the astronaut. The third message is mournful: he died heroically while performing …

All three versions were sent to radio, television and TASS. On April 12, 1961, the day of the launch of the spacecraft, the envelope to which the Kremlin would indicate was to be opened. The remaining papers were subject to immediate destruction.

After the command "Start!" With a smile, Gagarin uttered the phrase that became famous: "Let's go!" And the ship "Vostok" soared into the sky with a roar. Did the astronaut know that not the entire system was debugged? God knows. But, of course, he understood that he was taking a great risk.

There is no reason to go into technical details for a long time, however …

Immediately after the start, communication with Vostok was cut off.

According to the testimony of Vladimir Yaropolov, who participated in the preparation of the spacecraft and was in the Mission Control Center, “Korolev was in a state of shock, his muscles began to twitch, his voice broke, he was terribly worried about the lack of communication: with Gagarin during these few minutes anything could happen

Then the connection was restored, Yuri Alekseevich reported that his ship had entered orbit."

Although the space strategists envisioned a lot, they did not really understand how a person would behave "there". And therefore it was even assumed that from the excitement and influx of incredible impressions, he could … go crazy. If the astronaut behaved inappropriately, began to carry all sorts of nonsense, his connection with the earth would be automatically blocked. And - further actions would become impossible.

Could such an astronaut return to earth in this case? The question can be posed differently: was there a need for a mentally ill astronaut who completed the flight? After all, it had to be shown to the Soviet people, to the entire planet. And the relative space success could turn into a worldwide scandal …

Gagarin spent 108 minutes in space, completing one revolution around the Earth. In orbit, he carried out the simplest experiments, recorded them. I ate and drank. I recorded my feelings and observations on the onboard tape recorder. And he landed - not without serious problems.

It's funny that Gagarin did not wait for the helicopter, which was supposed to pick him up from the landing site, but left in a passing truck. The crew of the Mi-4 helicopter suffered a lot of fear - the pilots saw the landing device, but there was no one nearby. The situation was clarified by the locals - the guy you are looking for rushed away, they say.

The 27-year-old senior lieutenant - however, he immediately became a major by order of the Minister of Defense Marshal Rodion Malinovsky - turned into a hero, including the Hero of the Soviet Union, the country's favorite. He was accepted immediately - sincerely, from the heart

Gagarin disposed to himself with both good nature and a charming smile. Of course he was a daredevil. He was the first to step into the unknown, to follow the unbeaten path. And then he walked down the red carpet to fame.

Immediately after landing, the cosmonaut sent a message to the Kremlin: "I ask you to report to the party and the government and personally to Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev that the landing went well, I feel well, I have no injuries or bruises." The head of state replied. Soon they met, hugged tightly. It was clear that the impressionable and sentimental Khrushchev had paternal feelings for Gagarin.

For those who did not see how Moscow rejoiced in April sixty-first, it is impossible to imagine. The cortege, which swept from Vnukovo to the Kremlin, was showered with flowers. Parents named many newborn boys in honor of Gagarin - Yuri. At all corners, they only talked about the astronaut, space and that we wiped our nose at these upstart Americans. Then, in general, there was an unspoken competition in everything: science, weapons, sports - with the United States. Khrushchev promised to "catch up and overtake the Americans" in the production of meat and milk per capita. And he was already preparing the main surprise - communism, which is coming in twenty years …

Even in Gagarin's flight, Khrushchev saw "a new triumph of Lenin's ideas, confirmation of the correctness of the Marxist-Leninist teaching." And - "a new take-off of our country in its forward movement towards communism."

The first press conference of the conqueror of the Universe began with the question whether he came from the famous family of the Gagarin princes. Yuri Alekseevich refused such a relationship with a smile. Then Alexander Tvardovsky reflected this in verse: “No, not relatives of the loud Russian nobility / With your princely surname, / You were born in a simple peasant hut / And maybe you have not heard of those princes. / Surname - neither in honor, nor in honor, / And with any ordinary fate. / Grew up in the family, ran off the bread worker, / And there and time for their bread …"

A rally took place on Red Square. There was a sea of banners, banners and general jubilation. Gagarin spoke, Khrushchev spoke. He spoke not only about space, but also recalled history, the wonderful path that the Land of the Soviets traveled before embarking on the conquest of the Universe. People who were involved in this were showered with honors and awards. Among them was, of course, the first secretary - in June 1961, Khrushchev was awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of Socialist Labor - already the third.

… The success of one person is the failure of the other. Sometimes it is serious, sometimes it is relative. German Titov, although he never publicly admitted it, harbored a grudge. However, cosmonaut No. 2 received his own, and considerable, share of fame. But Grigory Nelyubov got nothing but disappointment. There was a conflict with a military patrol. The story was quickly hushed up, but on the condition that Nelyubov would apologize to the head of the patrol. However, the pilot, a well-known proud man, refused. Then the malicious paper flew up to the authorities.

However, there was still a chance to rectify the situation. With the same condition - bow your head, obey. But Nelyubov again refused. And his astronaut career collapsed. He was sent to a combat regiment in the Far East. And life was soon cut short - in June 1966, the failed cosmonaut fell under the wheels of a train. It is not known whether he threw himself on the rails by accident or. Captain Nelyubov was only 32 years old …

On his tombstone on the Pacific coast in the seaside village of Kremovo there is a fragment from a poem by the poetess Ekaterina Zelenskaya:

This is how fate turned out, so they decided:

Without him, beyond the bounds of the earth, Drowning in transcendental width

The ships left Baikonur …

A month after the flight, Gagarin embarked on his first foreign tour with Mission for Peace

He visited Czechoslovakia, Finland, England, Bulgaria and Egypt. Then his path lay in Poland, Cuba, Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Hungary, India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Afghanistan. This was only the beginning of a long journey around the world. Everywhere Gagarin was greeted with the greatest honor. He was honored, rewarded, getting closer to him, looking into his eyes was revered for happiness. Handshaking my hands ached, kissing my face flushed.

At dinner with Elizabeth II, Gagarin was at a loss: he did not know how to use cunning cutlery, he began to impose a salad with a tablespoon. And, hiding the embarrassment, he said: "Let's eat in Russian." To which the queen answered: "Gentlemen, let's eat like Gagarin." And she also scooped up the salad with a tablespoon, and when they finished the tea, following Gagarin, I fished out a slice of lemon from the cup and ate …

In 1966, Gagarin became the head of the cosmonaut corps. But he wanted to fly. In June of the same year, he began training under the Soyuz program and was appointed as a backup for Vladimir Komarov. On the day of the launch, April 23, 1967, Gagarin demanded that he also be dressed in a spacesuit. He watched longingly as Komarov's ship melted in the clouds.

Alas, that flight ended in tragedy. Death seemed to knock on Gagarin's window. After all, he could fly on the Soyuz. In any case, the chief designer discussed this issue with him. But the Queen was gone, and instead of Gagarin, Komarov went into space. Unfortunately …

In recent years, Gagarin has become gloomy, withdrawn, walked with his collar up in order to remain unrecognizable. He avoided curious glances, avoided journalists who asked about the same thing. Tired and anxious? Or did you feel the impending disaster?

It is also unclear why Gagarin died while performing a training flight on a MiG-15UTI aircraft with Colonel Vladimir Seregin on March 27, 1968. The plane crash report was 29 volumes and was classified

Then details began to emerge, versions varied. Numerous rumors and speculations were fertile. To whitewash some, and to blame others, on the contrary?

The old sensation is still being renewed, changing its appearance. Only the portrait of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin remains unchanged: a kind, open face, radiant eyes …

“If he had not died, he would have accomplished something even more outstanding, and not necessarily in the field of astronautics,” Lev Danilkin, the author of the book about Gagarin in the ZhZL series, said in an interview. - Everything went to this. The loss of Gagarin is doubly tragic, because for all that he has done, it is a failed key figure in Russian history. Had he lived until 1985, for example, when history broke down, we might have gone through this fork in a completely different way …

He was a good diplomat. And life itself would certainly have pushed him out of a narrow space specialization into politics. I talked to many people on this topic, and quite often people who knew him testify: he could have become what Gorbachev became in 1985 …"

Imagine? Imagine?