USSR PAVILION -- Expo 86

The Soviets were the first in space and they made sure everyone remembered it. The pavilion's entrance was capped by a larger than life statue of the first man to orbit the earth, namely Yri Gagarin, to commemorate the historic 1961 flight. Behind the pavilion, a Soyuz space capsule was exhibited.

Keeping with the theme, a collection of International peace agreements could be viewed in the foyer.

The main exhibit hall housed a 33 metre working space station complete with a laboratory. Other space related exhibits included a world-wide program that uses satellites for sea based salvaging operations and an international project designed to study Halley's Comet.

Visitors could also scan the U.S.S.R.'s transportation and communications systems on a giant electronic map, view the modern transportation systems of Moscow and Kiev, and learn about some of the U.S.S.R.'s accomplishments such as the largest nuclear powered ice-breaker or the first non-stop flight between the U.S.S.R. and North America over the North Pole.

FROM THE BEST OF EXPO GUIDE:

An elaborate display on outer space dominates this pavilion. Impressive actual-size models of space stations as well as a model of the "Veha" project for the study of Halley's comet and Venus make this a MUST SEE for the space enthusiast. Various other advances in communication and transportation completes these technology-focused exhibits. An interesting flavour is added to this pavilion by a fashion show, featuring work by top Russian designers, and a three dimensional film.

HIGHLIGHTS:

--Actual-sized replicas of the space station Salyut 7 and Soyuz, and the Veha Project.
--The model of the Veha project is intricate and gives a perspective on the awesome scale of space endeavours.
-- The fashion show is an interesting inclusion for showing a not-often seen aspect of Soviet culture.
--The 3D movie has great visuals but unfortunately it is narrated in Russian. It is still worth the visit.