No, it was a great messup with Kremlin messing up the space programme big time, ...

p_l · on April 12, 2021

Well, yes. Had Korolev lived, he would have probably kept control over it, same way he led USSR to being first with Sputnik and Voskhod.

inglor_cz · on April 12, 2021

When I studied life and work of Korolev, I could not help but meditate on the idea that great individuals really do make a difference.

His death was a major setback for the Soviet space program. Arguably they never found a real replacement for him.

avmich · on April 12, 2021

No, they didn't. I sometimes think Elon Musk - with all the differences - is a comparable figure.