When I Orbited The Earth In A Spaceship, I Saw For The First Time How Beautiful Our Planet Is. Mankind,

Two heroes and best friends united forever and betrayed by their ill-fated destinies: Yuri Gagarin and Vladimir Komarov.

Vladimir Komarov's death seems to have been almost scripted. Yuri Gagarin said as much in an interview he gave to Pravda weeks after the crash. He sharply criticized the officials who had let his friend fly.

Komarov was honored with a state funeral. Only a chipped heel bone survived the crash. Three weeks later, Yuri Gagarin went to see his KGB friend. He wanted to talk about what happened. As the book describes it:

Gagarin met Russayev at his family apartment but refused to speak in any of the rooms because he was worried about bugs. The lifts and lobby areas were not safe, either, so the two men trudged up and down the apartment block's echoing stairwells.

The Gagarin of 1967 was very different from the carefree young man of 1961. Komarov's death had placed an enormous burden of guilt on his shoulders. At one point Gagarin said, "I must go to see the main man [Brezhnev] personally." He was profoundly depressed that he hadn't been able to persuade Brezhnev to cancel Komarov's launch.

Shortly before Gagarin left, the intensity of his anger became obvious. "I'll get through to him [Brezhnev] somehow, and if I ever find out he knew about the situation and still let everything happen, then I know exactly what I'm going to do." Russayev goes on, "I don't know exactly what Yuri had in mind. Maybe a good punch in the face." Russayev warned Gagarin to be cautious as far as Brezhnev was concerned. "I told him, 'Talk to me first before you do anything. I warn you, be very careful.' "

The authors then mention a rumor, never proven (and to my mind, most unlikely), that one day Gagarin did have a moment with Brezhnev and he threw a drink in Brezhnev's face.

Guess what!I hope Yuri has really done that to that idiot.Yuri was right.And omg,I wish I could tell him that he was not to blame for anything that happened to his friend.Nothing worse than carrying the burden of feeling guilty for a best friend's death.I do really understand sweet Yuri's pain.It's clear that he might have gained some powerful enemies,after criticizing his superiors.Therefore,the reason for me to back up the theory that defends Yuri being murdered.Some people just cannot handle the truth and failure.It's very possible that they could have seen Yuri as dangerous...Poor angel,was no threat to anybody,he just wasn't afraid of standing for what was right.And probably that's what got him killed. :(

the sweetest thing ever... oh, how much i love you, words are not enough...

Here,see how close Yuri and Komarov were.How sad...Two heros betrayed by their own destinies....Komarov tried to avoid Yuri's certain death,by flying on the Soyuz himself,and in the end,he dies,and Yuri dies too,an year later!Yuri and Komarov story moves me to tears.

Beauty in the uniform! *dies*

Yuri Gagarin...two words to describe him? PURE BEAUTY

Tale has come true.

I think that’s all for now! Time to stop Gagarin spam :)

Love~

Time to stop Gagarin spam??Oh,no don't ever stop it!Who on earth would ever get tired of this handsome russian flying angel??

Hallo! I´m so happy, that you made this wonderful site about this great and beautiful man. I´m interested in space, astronomy and spaceflight (among many other things) And I want to tell you, that my Starman book arrived yesterday from Amazon. What a coincidence! I started to read it , I´m now in the part about Yuri´s childhood and how adorable boy he was, I almost cried. You will love it, this is for sure! Renata-pageysflower from Czech republic :)

Wow!!Thank you so much for such warm message!Well,I can’t wait to read the book..I think i’m gonna devour it and read it all in one day only!I am a big fan of Yuri,since my childhood.I completely adore him.Honestly,I know I will cry when reading his biography!Also,I found out,just very recently,that I have russian blood,from my biological mother's side,so this means even more to me!I also love Astronomy,and I'm an affictionate star gazer.And yeah,it’s a great coincidence,it really is!I’m pleased to have you following my blog!Please keep in touch!By the way,I'm also on Facebook and Twitter,so if you wish to add me,please,let me know.Peace to you,my good friend.

Greetings from Portugal&Russia ;)

oh... you are simply so gorgeous and imposing in your uniform, that it takes my breath away... love you, my wonderful hero! <3

Yurochka playing billiard- go, Yuri! BTW the radio behind is the same my grandparents had :)

Funny funny!I am really good playing billiards!but i would gladly let Yuri win!And yeah,this radio was exactly like the one my grandma had too!Still remember it so well!!

The star eyed shepherd… :))

With a smile capable of illuminating the whole planet Earth! <3