posted 05-01-2014 04:58 AM               

Since times immemorial mankind has been fascinated by the dream of flying. Leonardo da Vinci and many other great artists were inspired by the idea of overcoming gravity. We can now offer you a space capsule with which you can enter into orbit, broaden your horizon and return safely back to Earth.

It has been in space twice and is still in working order. It is an ingenious feat of engineering, a technical and aesthetic miracle – like a precious Renaissance clock. Yet it was created in the contest of the world's two dominating political systems in 1977, and therefore still has a touch of James Bond about it!

Lempertz, too, is expanding its horizon, as it will be inaugurating its new premises in Brussels with an auction of the Soviet space capsule and two spacesuits. Prior to this event the space capsule will also be available for viewing in Berlin.

It is the first space capsule to be auctioned in Europe. Don't miss the previews, as they will provide a great opportunity to marvel at a major piece of contemporary history. After all, our space capsule also embodies the fulfilment of a dream of mankind. A trip to Brussels on 7 May will definitely be worthwhile.

posted 05-06-2014 08:03 AM               

Used spacecraft for sale: Soviet-era space capsule up for auction in Belgium

A secondhand Soviet-era space capsule that launched into space twice is set to be sold in Belgium on Wednesday (May 7).

The Russian VA (Vozvraschaemyi Apparat, return vehicle) crew and cargo spacecraft is being offered by the Berlin-based Lempertz auction house at its newly-opened gallery in Brussels. Estimated to sell for $1 to $2 million (US), the capsule is said to be the first historic spacecraft to be put up for sale in Europe.

"We can now offer you a space capsule with which you can enter into orbit, broaden your horizon and return safely back to Earth," Lempertz's Kilian Jay von Seldeneck said. "It has been in space twice and is still in working order."

In addition to the capsule, Lempertz is also auctioning two Russian Sokol spacesuits, one donned by a cosmonaut to fly to the former Mir space station and the other worn by a British-American astronaut for his flight to the International Space Station.