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April 12, 2011

1961 Soviet space capsule selling at NYC auction

1961 Soviet space capsule selling at NYC auction (AP)
FILE - This undated file photo provided by Sotheby's in New York shows the Vostok 3KA-2 space capsule, flown with the cosmonaut-mannequin Ivan Ivanovich on March 25, 1961, as the final test mission prior to Yuri Gagarin's first manned space flight. The capsule, the only Vostok space capsule outside of Russia and the only one in private hands, is scheduled to be offered at auction by Sotheby's on April 12, 2011, the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's flight. (AP Photo/Sotheby's, File)

A 1961 Soviet space capsule is being auctioned in New York City.

The capsule was used on a test run for the that carried the first man into outer space. Its pre-sale estimate is $2 million to $10 million. Sotheby's is offering it Tuesday on the 50th anniversary of the .

Update story:

The capsule being sold is the Vostok 3KA-2. It carried a cosmonaut mannequin and a live dog into space weeks before the manned flight of Vostok 3KA-3, a duplicate capsule.

Sotheby's said the anonymous owner bought it privately from the Russians years ago.

The capsule is made of aluminum alloy and measures just over 7 feet in diameter. It was classified as a "secret" until 1986. Its interior has been stripped for security reasons.

More information:

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