В 1960 г. создан Центр подготовки космонавтов

By the beginning of 1960, the spacecraft, which would later be named Vostok, had already been built. They started working out the technique – to launch dummies nicknamed Ivan Ivanovich, dogs, and other animals. Then it was time to start preparing people. The selection and training of pilots was entrusted to the Soviet Air Force. On January 11, 1960, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Vershinin issued an order to create a special military unit No. 26266. The legendary cosmonaut training center dates its history from this day. 20 pilots at once were recruited to the first group. They were accompanied with families, scientific, technical, and service personnel – in total, there were enough people to establish a town. The closed town was named very romantically: Zvyozdny gorodok [Star City]. The road to the stars started from Star City.