Sergey Pavlovich Korolyov (Russian: Серге́й Па́влович Королёв), often transliterated less phonetically as Sergei Korolev[1] (January 12 [O.S. December 30 1906] 1907, Zhytomyr, now Ukraine – January 14, 1966, Moscow), was the head Soviet rocket engineer and designer during the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike his counterpart in America, Wernher von Braun, Korolyov's pivotal role in the Soviet space program was kept a closely-guarded secret until after his death. Throughout his period of work on the program he was known only as the "Chief Designer".
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edit- ^ His name in English is usually pronounced incorrectly -- according to Russian pronunciation rules his name should be pronounced "Kahrahl'Yohv".