KOROLEV, Sergei Pavlovich (1906-1966). Sharp 18 x 13 cm (7 x 5 in.) B/W photo of Korolev, standing in the desert wearing a hat. Photo was taken in July 1958, 8 years before his death. Signed and inscribed by Sergei Korolev on the right bottom corner in fine-tip blue marker "Dorogoj Ninochke na dolguju pamjat`" (To dear Ninochka for long lasting memory). Nina Ivanovna Kotenkova was Korolev`s second wife. Ink stain in the middle right, light wear, overall very good condition.
Sergei Korolev is widely regarded as the founder of the Soviet space program. Involved in pre-World War II studies of rocketry in the USSR, Korolev, like many of his colleagues, went through Stalin`s prisons and later participated in the search for rocket technology in occupied Germany. His incredible energy, intelligence, belief in the prospects of space flight, managerial abilities and almost mythical skills in decision-making made him the head of the first Soviet rocket development center, known today as RKK Energia. He deserves the most credits for turning rocket weapons into an instrument of space exploration and making the Soviet Union the world`s first space-faring nation.