The Vozvrashchayemyi Apparat Space Capsule is probably the first spacecraft that entered space twice in its history. And, now you have a chance to buy this piece of space history, since this former Soviet space capsule goes under the hammer by Kunsthaus Lempertz auctions. It will be auctioned in Brussels on May 7th, at an estimated value of $1-2 million. The capsule, which could carry three astronauts (or threeunattended heavy objects, such as large spy cameras), will be offered along with two spacesuits, worth up to an estimated $100,000.
“Mankind has been dreaming of flying for many centuries. It was a thought that inspired Leonardo da Vinci and many other outstanding artists. And for me as an auctioneer it is the greatest honour to auction this piece of recent history,” says Prof. Henrik R. Hanstein, the owner of Kunsthaus Lempertz.
In 1977 and 1978 the VA Space Capsule served on two Cosmos space missions under the Almaz programme, thus becoming the first spacecraft to be used more than once. The space capsule, which was intended to take supplies to space stations, stayed in space for over 30 days.
This success was a major milestone, set by Soviet engineers in the race against the American space programme during the Cold War. The next stage in the programme was the first modular space station, Soyuz, which was visited by Sigmund Jähn as the first German astronaut in space.
So far the most spectacular space sale was held in 2011, when the Soviet space capsule Vostok 3KA-2 was sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $2.9 million.
