The Vozvraschaemyi Apparat (VA), a Soviet era space capsule, is estimated to auction for $1m-2m at Kunsthaus Lempertz S.A. in Brussels on May 7.
The capsule was flown into space on two occasions, once in 1977 and again in 1978 during a series of manned missions, and was capable of carrying up to three cosmonauts.
 The VA capsule was developed for the Soviet Moon landing program in the 1960s |
The initial designs were produced in 1961, with the VA intended to be used in the Soviet Union's moon landing program.
When these plans were shelved, it was repurposed to carry its crew between Earth and the Almaz space station - a forerunner of MIR.
The lot is consigned by Excalibur Almaz, a private company that plans to offer space flight to the public, with the first launch due to take place in 2015.
The capsule is in exceptional condition and its fascinating history could challenge the record for a piece of space memorabilia, which is held by a Russian Vostok 3KA-2 capsule launched in 1961.
A pair of Russian Sukol KV2 space suits will also be offered in the sale.
On April 8, Bonhams New York will offer a selection space memorabilia - including a rare flown cloth insignia signed by the crew of Apollo 11.
We have an exciting selection of space memorabilia available, including this photograph signed by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
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