Towards the Stars monument in Moscow

The Sculpture “Towards the Stars” has been installed at the main entrance to the Catherine Park (then park of Central House of the Russian Army) in 1958, a year after the launch of the first artificial satellite of the Earth and the three years prior to the flight of Yuri Gagarin into space. Like Prometheus carrying fire to mankind, the sculpture depicts a young, half-naked and powerful titan in a loincloth. Like a flare into the sky, he launches a missile that rushes into the infinite blue sky toward new discoveries and adventures.

“Towards the Stars” monument looks like Prometheus sculpture of the 20th century set on a granite pedestal, and in front of it, on the pedestal is a stone vase for flowers.

The sculpture was created at the dawn of practical space, and the first conducted launches of ballistic missiles. Sculpture became a symbol in honor of the memory of the first space launch. Its author – Soviet Sculptor Grigoriy Postnikov (14 October 1914 – 1978), Laureate of the State Prize, known for his work on the space theme.

Born into a peasant family, he was brought up in an orphanage. He graduated from trade schools, and worked as a turner on metal at the Kiev factory “Red Engine”. He studied at the aircraft school for workers, and then at the Leningrad Institute of Civil Air Fleet Engineers, received a degree in an engineering education. During World War II he worked on the repair and restoration of aircrafts. After the war began to study sculpture. Since 1949 was a member of Grekov art studio. Cosmic theme was the main theme of his creativity.

Towards the Stars monument in Moscow

source vk.com/monumentguid