Medal, Bronze, Heads of Dogs

Commemorative and medals are one way in which Russian and Soviet leaders have recognized accomplishments and individuals in the space program. Initially limited groups of people within the space program received medals. As the space programs grew in prestige and publicity, the medals increased in numbers and played an increasing role in celebrating the accomplishments of the space program. Ultimately, medals became the currency of diplomatic gifts from the Soviet Union. High government or industry officials would give these medals as gifts to their counterparts abroad, including the United States. The typical medals had the main, commemorative theme on the front and supporting statement on the reverse.

This medal celebrates two anniversaries in space history: The thirtieth anniversary in of the successful recovery of the dogs, Belka and Strelka, for an orbital space mission. In addition, the twentieth anniversary of the Lunokhod mission, this was the first automated rover exploration of the Moon.

Gift of Oleg Shishkin, Minister of Gen. Machine Building, USSR