Sergei Korolyov (Korolev) is a legendary Russian rocket scientist regarded as the father of the Soviet Union’s (USSR) early human spaceflight capabilities. SpaceX founder Elon Musk invited Korolyov’s family to visit his rocket facility in the United States. Last year Korolyov’s grandson, Andrei Korolyov, told Russian reporters in July 2020, that the family congratulated Musk after SpaceX launched its first crewed mission aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. The successful mission ended America's dependence on Russian spacecraft to launch NASA astronauts to space. On July 10, 2020, Musk shared that he talked with Korolyov’s family, “I spoke with Korolev’s family today. He was one of the very best. Корольов / Королёв,” Musk wrote. 

I spoke with Korolev’s family today.
He was one of the very best.
Корольов / Королёв.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 10, 2020

This week a photograph surfaced of Andrei and Musk at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, California, headquarters. Musk gave Korolyov's grandson a tour of the SpaceX factory, it is unclear when they met [information pending]. “We are incredibly grateful for the invitation, hospitality, […] and an unforgettable almost hour-long personal meeting. Continue to move the world forward, Mr. Musk!” Andrey said after their meeting, according to a Twitter user. 

Musk gave Sergei Korolyov's grandson a tour of the SpaceX factory. "We are incredibly grateful for the invitation,hospitality," said Andrey Korolev,"and an unforgettable almost hour-long personal meeting.Continue to move the world forward,Mr. Musk!"@SciGuySpace @thesheetztweetz pic.twitter.com/qA0qyzLyTX

— AlmostSoberRussian (@SoberAlmost) September 5, 2021

Sergei Korolyov is one of the most important figures in rocketry that ignited humanity’s curiosity to explore space and compete to land the first astronauts on the lunar surface. The Space Race originated after World War II while both countries were competing to develop ballistic missile-based nuclear weapons. Korolyov was the chief engineer involved in the development of the R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), that became a rocket to launch payload to space. Korolyov’s idea to launch Russia's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, initiated the Space Race that pushed the United States to create NASA.

Korolyov’s leadership and engineering skills enabled Russia to become the first country to launch a satellite, dogs, and the first human – Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – into space atop the R-7 rocket. The R-7 is fueled with liquid oxygen and kerosene, some of its design and features are still in use today by Russia's Soyuz operational rocket that launches astronauts to the International Space Station.

Featured Image Source: @SoberAlmost via Twitter