Research vessel Kosmonavt Yuri Gagarin

In the late 1950-s Baltiysky Zavod started construction of new ships intended for missile trials and new space programs.  

In 1959 the shipyard delivered several floating command complexes constructed on the basis of ore carriers (the Sibir, the Chukotka and the Skhalin of project 1128) and one ship of project 1129.

The first vessel of a new generation (the Kosmonavt Vladimir Komarov) was built on the basis of dry cargo ship the Genichesk (18000 dwt). The construction was completed in 4 years (1967-1971).

The second vessel – the Kosmonavt Yuri Gagarin (43500 dwt) - was built on the basis of a tanker project 1552. This unique ship was built for the support of manned space programs. Radio equipment included 75 aerials (two of them 25 m in diameter). The ship was equipped with modern telemetry, navigation and electrical equipment.

In 1987 a floating nuclear-powered command complex the Ural (project 1941, 35000 dwt) was delivered. At that time the vessel was the largest domestic ship with atomic propulsion system.