Soviet manned spaceflight artifacts

This intriguing half scale Sokol KV-2 pressure suit is one of a very small number manufactured by Zvezda: the official pressure suit manufacturer.

Made of the same materials as their larger counterparts many of the components are functional: the visor opens and closes, the pressure valve operates and the gloves can be removed. The suit is supported by an articulated armature that allows the piece to displayed in different positions. While full scale Sokol KV-2 suits are relatively commonplace the half scale replicas are few and far between.

In the last decade, three have appeared at auction. At least two auction houses suggested that these were given to cosmonauts in lieu of their flown suits. In reality, the "mini Sokols" (made circa 1989) were  presented to Soviet communist party leaders, space program heads and foreign distinguished dignitaries.... though one was allegedly made as a special order for a western collector and sold for $12,000. 

This image taken in 1988 of the very first "mini Sokol" shows the exquisite detail including the black mesh communications headset and grey leather over boots.

When I showed this suit to Gennady Padalka at a Space Lectures event in April 2019 he confirmed that the suits were made using authentic materials and that all of the components were finished to the same exacting standards as any of his flown Sokol suits.

It is not known how many miniature suits were manufactured but numbers I suspect are limited to a handful. One or two were displayed at Soviet space expositions and on occasion used as photo opportunity props for children.  After examining the suit at length Gennady kindly signed the suit on the soles of the feet.

A pair of full sized Sokol KV-2 pressure gloves worn by cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin. It is quite possible that these gloves may have been worn in space, but with the redacted serial numbers it is impossible to know for certain.

 A classic Sokol communications carrier or headset used in training.

To the best of my knowledge, Gennady Padalka never wore this particular communications headset but it is none the less identical to those he used on many occasions.

A pair of Soviet "Orlan" EVA gloves of the type currently used aboard the International Space Station.

When I met cosmonaut Alexei Leonov in 2010 I thought it only right and fitting that he - the first man to walk in space -should sign the gloves.

This signed beta cloth patch, from the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission of 1975, was not flown in space but does has the distinction of coming from the personal collection of participant cosmonaut Valery Kubasov.

I bought it from Valery when he attended an Autographica event in October 2005.