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Whose Spaceflight Was First?
SpaceHistory
Quick Answer
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space on 12 April 1961 aboard Vostok 1.
The Full Story
On 12 April 1961, 27-year-old Soviet Air Force pilot Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard Vostok 1. He completed one orbit of the Earth in 108 minutes, reaching an altitude of 327 km and a speed of about 27,400 km/h. The flight was entirely automated — Gagarin had manual override controls sealed in an envelope for emergency use. He ejected from the capsule at about 7 km altitude and parachuted to the ground in the Saratov region of Russia. Gagarin became an instant global hero and a symbol of the Space Age.
Key Facts
1.Gagarin reportedly exclaimed "Poyekhali!" ("Let's go!") at launch — a phrase that became iconic in Russian culture.
2.He was selected from over 3,000 candidates for the Soviet space programme.
3.Gagarin died in a training jet crash on 27 March 1968, at age 34.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Yuri Gagarin — 108 Minutes That Changed History"