Oleg Genrikovich Ivanovsky

On the first steps of our space program. Moscow, 15 October 1962



Typescript memoir, in Russian, 71 pages (11 3/4 × 8 1/4 in.; 297 × 208 mm.) black ribbon typescript, with typescript and manuscript corrections, emendations, and censoring, on the rectos only, and with typist's date and initials and censor's marks verso), on laid paper unwatermarked, foliated [1]–42 [44]–72, two pages (page 42, line 11-page 43, line 14) cancelled by the censor.  Original brown textured cloth unlettered, plain wove endpapers.

On the first steps of our space program. Moscow, 15 October 1962 Typescript memoir, in Russian, 71 pages (11 3/4 × 8 1/4 in.; 297 × 208 mm.) black ribbon typescript, with typescript and manuscript corrections, emendations, and censoring, on the rectos only, and with typist's date and initials and censor's marks verso), on laid paper unwatermarked, foliated [1]–42 [44]–72, two pages (page 42, line 11-page 43, line 14) cancelled by the censor. Original brown textured cloth unlettered, plain wove endpapers.
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The secret history of the space program, written at Korolev's behest, and still unpublished.  It is filled with eyewitness accounts of the greatest human and technical interest.  The text is a freely written memoir describing the beginnings of the space program.  Most proper names have been blocked out by the censor. Ivanovsky begins,

"On 4 October 1957, an artificial celestial body was created for the first time in human history.  The first earth satellite, which was built by the intellect and hard work of the Soviet people, opened a new era: the Space Age.  It happened on 4 October 1957.  And then, on 12 April 1961, just three and half years later, a Soviet citizen, communist Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin, for the first time successfully orbited the earth in the Vostok I spaceship.  This path was covered by Soviet science and engineering in just three and a half years.  During these years, this writer was fortunate to be directly involved in preparation, testing, and launch of all the artificial earth satellites, space rockets, and satellite-spacecraft.  In 1957, I was appointed as deputy of Mikhail Stepanovich ... who at that time was the leading designer of space objects.  This is how it all started.  At that time I worked as the secretary of the Party organization at .... In the fall of 1957, after a certain restructuring in the organization, it became possible for me to return to work as an engineer.  I do not remember the exact date (I did not try to memorize it) of the day when Mikhail Stepanovich walked into my office.  Sitting down squarely on the sofa and looking at me with a sly twinkle in his eye, he started from afar.  He was saying that it would be exciting not just to work at a design bureau, but to have a direct contact with manufacturing and production.  Soon I began to realize that comrade ... although shooting from afar, had a well defined target in his sights.  Indeed, he soon went over to the key question.  'Why don't we work together in the future?'  Responding to my baffled question — in what capacity and on what kind of project? — he told me that he had been appointed the leading designer of space objects and invited me to become his deputy.  Frankly, the offer caught me unprepared.  I had never thought of this kind of 'application' for myself.  But I quickly agreed .... This was the beginning of what this story is all about.  In ... 1957, the first flight tests of the ... rocket were conducted.  For the first time in the history of technology, man succeeded in launching an artificial body over several thousand kilometers...

This is accompanied by a typewritten letter signed by the author, to Korolev, mounted and bound in: "Sergei Pavlovich — As you suggested, I have tried to put down on paper the story of the first steps of our space program.  Whether I have succeeded, is not mine to judge.  I have no yet written about the preparation and launch of Gagarin's flight.  Best regards, [signed]: O.G. Ivanovsky.  Enclosure on 72 pages"  This is annotated by korolev, "1. I have read this excellent paper with a lot of interest! 2. Comrade A.F. Bykov: Please have this material bound, registered, and stored with the Special Group [i.e., secret archive] (or with Comrade Bushuev).  3 Jan. 1963 Korolev."