Correct! This is the aft end of the Russian Vostok rocket which carried the first man into orbit on Apr 12, 1961. Launch Site: Baikonur
The flight was automated; Yuri Gagarin’s controls were locked to prevent him from taking control of the ship. A key was available in a sealed envelope in case it became necessary to take control in an emergency.
Gagarin ejected after reentry and descended under his own parachute, as was planned. However for many years the Soviet Union denied this, because the flight would not have been recognized for various FAI world records unless the pilot had accompanied his craft to a landing. Landed Southwest of Engels Smelovka, Saratov.
Looking up at the bottom of a Russian rocket booster?
Correct! This is the aft end of the Russian Vostok rocket which carried the first man into orbit on Apr 12, 1961. Launch Site: Baikonur
The flight was automated; Yuri Gagarin’s controls were locked to prevent him from taking control of the ship. A key was available in a sealed envelope in case it became necessary to take control in an emergency.
Gagarin ejected after reentry and descended under his own parachute, as was planned. However for many years the Soviet Union denied this, because the flight would not have been recognized for various FAI world records unless the pilot had accompanied his craft to a landing. Landed Southwest of Engels Smelovka, Saratov.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_rocket