Russian Children’s Centre Orlyonok

About 500 Orlyonok campers, staff members, and guests have become participants of the events devoted to the first human’s flight into space.

The Day of Cosmonautics has started with a thematic radio programme “Starwards”, which was recorded by the young journalists from Orlyonok children's press group. The campers went on excursions to the Air and Space Museum, where they got acquainted with the Russian aerospace history and achievements, checked their vestibular system on simulators, and tried the flight simulator SU-27. They also visited our Astronomical Observatory, where they could watch the Sun through a telescope. In the meanwhile, during the class “Space. Reference point” they learned about the development of aircraft in the history of mankind.

“Representatives of the space-rocket industry can be often seen among our guests. They come here to interact with campers and provide them with the necessary life guiding principle, being an example of fortitude, diligence, honour, and dignity. We cherish the memories of Yuri Gagarin and a huge delegation of space heroes coming here back in 1964. After all, it was his initiative to build the Air and Space Museum 50 years ago. Space pilot and the Hero of the Soviet Union Alexey Leonov took part in its opening. We are proud that Orlyonok campers have been to space as well — test cosmonaut, first class military pilot Sergey Krichevsky, the second-generation world's first cosmonaut, spaceship commander Sergey Volkov, and the Hero of Russia, space pilot who has taken a year-long flight on the International Space Station for the first time Mikhail Kornienko,” Alexander Dzheus, Orlyonok Director, commented.

The visit of the head of the Krasnodar Air Force Academy named after the Hero of the Soviet Union A. K. Serov, Brigadier General Sergey Rumyantsev, has been one of the important events on this day. Sergey Vasilyevich has met with campers of the fourth camp session. He told the boys and girls about the Academy activities and requirements for applicants. In turn, the children showed a lively interest in pilot’s trade and its difficulty, and were willing to know what feelings Sergey Vasilyevich had had in his first flight. Traditionally, at the end of the meeting he was initiated into Orlyonok team and was awarded a ribbon “An Honorary Orlyonok Camper”.

“Here in Orlyonok, at the Air and Space Museum, campers under the guidance of experienced teachers learn the basics of work as a pilot and astronaut. It hosts meetings with representatives of the aerospace industry, which plays not an insignificant role in educating the younger generation. When boys and girls talk to a real pilot or cosmonaut, they are given the opportunity to make the right choice of a future profession and benefit their country further on,” Sergey Rumyantsev added.

Sergey Vasilyevich has donated to Orlyonok a Russian combat capable training airplane model Yak-130 and the bust of Soviet pilot, participant of the Great Patriotic War Evdokia Bershanskaya.

In terms of the Day of Cosmonautics various thematic platforms have been functioning. Campers are demonstrating their expertise in the intellectual game “The Age of Pioneers”, taking a walk through a starry sky using VR-apps in the innovation centre SAP. Also, Orlyonok campers have visited a scientific show of Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shukhov, taken part in the art salon “Starry sketches”, and even controlled the quadcopter.

“The first space flight of Yuri Gagarin is one of the most milestone events of our country. I am proud that Russia made such a breakthrough in cosmonautics back then. Our cosmonauts serve as an example of courage, patriotism, and hard work for me. But we, the new generation, should not only model their behaviour but also try to be better and push forward the national aerospace sphere,” Lev Borisov from Kemerovo Region gave his opinion.

The celebration of the World Aviation and Cosmonautics Day is to be ended with a thematic evening of scientific cinema and an educational class “Bibliotwilight” in the library.