In Russia and many former soviet republics, Cosmonautics Day has been celebrated each April 12 since the 1961 flight of Yuri Gagarin on that date. His flight inspired millions of Soviets. The Crocodile, USSR satirical magazine, has been publishing curious sci-fi cartoons that were dedicated to space exploration. Here are some of their illustrations.
1969: “Moscow Sea” Moon Crater
1961: Spring is in the air. It’s time to open windows
1962: A year has passed since I’ve fallen in love with you
1962: Cosmic October
1965: 1st may (International Workers’ Day) demonstration
1970: A commemorative plaque in memory of Lenin
1969: “Hey guys, do you need a space station supervisor?”
– via meduza.io
Related: How Soviet Artists Imagined Communist Life in Space – io9.
