When was the first human in space?
Quick Answer
Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space on April 12, 1961, orbiting Earth once aboard Vostok 1 in a flight lasting 108 minutes. He reached an altitude of 327 km.
The Full Story
On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin made history by becoming the first human to journey into outer space. Aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, he completed a single orbit of Earth in 108 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 327 km and a speed of 27,400 km/h. The flight was entirely automated — Gagarin had a sealed envelope with override codes in case of emergency. He ejected from the capsule at 7 km altitude and parachuted to the ground, as the capsule's landing system was not safe for human occupants. Gagarin instantly became a global hero. April 12 is now celebrated as Yuri's Night and the International Day of Human Space Flight.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"108 Minutes That Changed Everything — Yuri Gagarin's Historic Orbit"