Nikita

Nikita Khrushchev was at the height of his powers.

After his successful space flight, the Soviet Union paid its official thanks to Yuri Gagarin. There was a six-hour parade through Red Square, followed by a ceremony at the Lenin Mausoleum where Gagarin was greeted by General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev.

After the demise of Stalin, Korolev gained the support of the new leader, Nikita Khrushchev.