Editing Soviet space program (section)

====Sergey Korolev====
{{main|Sergey Korolev}}
A key contributor to early soviet efforts came from a young Russian aircraft engineer [[Sergey Korolev]], who would later become the de facto head of the Soviet space programme.{{sfn|Siddiqi|2000|p=4}} 
In 1926, as an advanced student, Korolev was mentored by the famous Soviet aircraft designer [[Andrey Tupolev]], who was a professor at his University.<ref name="Eng060121">{{cite web |title=Late great engineers: Sergei Korolev – designated designer |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/in-depth/late-great-engineers-sergei-korolev-designated-designer |website=The Engineer |date=June 2021 |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> In 1930, while working as a lead engineer on the [[Tupolev TB-3]] heavy bomber he became interested in the possibilities of liquid-fueled rocket engines to propel airplanes. This led to contact with Zander, and sparked his interest in space exploration and rocketry.{{sfn|Siddiqi|2000|p=4}}