Direction-Space! is a project by Russian-born photographer, Maria Gruzdeva. The photographs depict relics from the Soviet-era space industry in all their 20th century glory. Two iconic sites, Star City and Baikonur (previously blogged here), are featured prominently in the images.

A blurb from the artist:

“Direction–Space! series explore the reality of the space community at first hand, investigating the physical and psychological space as well as the routine and lives of its residents and their habitat. Generation of cosmonauts have trained in these surroundings and because of the reticence and insularity of this world the physical space and its spirit have been preserved. The series reveals these traces of history, power and ghost-like presence left behind. It is this space that holds the weight of the past and shapes the reality of people who live and work there currently. Direction–Space! offers a new insight into the subject central to the Cold War history of the Soviet Union and raises questions over attitudes and perceptions that have been formed over the past decades.”

And without further ado, here’s a sample of the fascinating collection:

If you are interested in the history of the Soviet space program, she put the collection of images in a book:

You can pick it up from Amazon here, Direction-Space!.

-RSB