Thread by @CanadianKobzar

🚀FELLAS! STAY AWHILE AND LISTEN! In honour of the launching of #NAFOSpaceDivision, today I wanted to do a thread that is truly out of this world (yes, I hear the boos for the terrible pun). Today we talk about - UKRAINIANS IN SPACE! 1/15

For today's charity, please all consider donating to @Azov_one. The legendary defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal need our support. So send some love, support and funds to help them take down the muscovite horde. 2/15

Ukrainians have a long and proud history with space endeavours - a history that Russia has misappropriated for decades. Most of the Space Race during the Cold War was actually lead by Ukrainian scientists, cosmonauts and pilots. Below is a mural to Gagarin in Kharkiv. 3/15

After World War II, the city of Dnipro became a focus of industry. In particular, it became a city for the space industry. Due to its importance to the Soviet Space program, Dnipro would be know as "Rocket City". 4/15

One of the earliest pioneers in aeronautics and space flight was Yuri Kondratyuk. Born in Poltava in 1897 to a Jewish-Ukrainian family, Yuri would develop the first lunar orbit rendezvous process - an integral model used by the first moon landings in history. 5/15

Valentin Glushko, an Odesa native and Jules Verne enthusiast was one of the key engineers in the Soviet Space Program during the height of the cold war. Important Soviet rockets, such as the R-7 Semyorka would use his engine designs. 6/15

The most famous Ukrainian scientist is Sergei Korolev, the father of the Soviet Space program. Born in Zhytomyr, he is a central figure in the Soviet Space program. Responsible for the R-7 Rocket with Glushko, he is also credited for the greatest feats of the Space Race. 7/15

In addition to developing the R-7 Rocket, Korolev is also was a key figure for the program launching Laika (the dog) into space, the Sputnik program (yes, Sputnik is Ukrainian), and launching the first man, Yuri Gagarin, into space. 8/15

Ukraine's contribution to space exploration is not just limited to scientists, but to pilots and cosmonauts as well. Pavel Popovich callsign Berkut was the first Ukrainian in space and the sixth person in orbit flying on Vostok 3 in 1962. 9/15

After the break up of the Soviet Union, Leonid Kadeniuk has the honour of being the first astronaut of independent Ukraine. Representing his homeland, this hero of Ukraine flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. In 2002 he was also elected to Ukrainian parliament. 10/15

Yaroslav Pustovyi was selected as one of the first Ukrainian astronauts in 1996. He was part of the space shuttle mission STS-87 as a back up payload specialist AND a member of the Canadian Arrow team competing in the Ansari X Prize challenge of 2003 (lets go Canada eh?) 11/15

Ukraine's connection to the "final frontier" extend beyond history and into fiction. The crew of the starship enterprise is also well represented by Ukrainians. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy are both proud Jewish-Ukrainians. Coincidence in the uniform colour? 12/15

The great Steven Spielberg also has Ukrainian roots. Steven's family has their origins in the village of Sudylkiv and Kamianets-Podilskyi. David Duchovny is also a vocal supporter of Ukraine and of Ukrainian heritage. 13/15

Now this is my opinion, but I think there is a clear link between the the Rebel Alliance symbol and the Tryzub. Both are used by freedom fighters and both represent a falcon or bird. 14/15

Regardless of fiction or history, Ukraine's contribution to space and aeronautics are immeasurable. After Ukraine wins the war, our contribution to space exploration will continue to reach new heights. Moon Sich is coming soon. SLAVA UKRAINI! 15/15

PS 1 - my grandfather in law was a test pilot for the Soviet Space Program from 1950-1960. He knew Gagarin personally (and hated him) and flew many planes that would lead to missions in outer-space. He is a great pilot and patriot of Ukraine. I dedicate this thread to him.

PS 2 - a bit of a conspiracy theory from my Dido (grandfather). But according to him, Yuri Gagarin is Ukrainian. I have no evidence to back this up, but my Dido swore to his last breath that this is true. If anyone can back this up, please contact me to vindicate my Dido lol.

@RoadsideChicory thoughts?

To Crimea and beyond!!! (This should have been the slogan thanks @ajohna)