Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, was the first human in space. On April 12, 1961, he orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, a pivotal moment in human history. This accomplishment marked a significant victory in the Space Race and ushered in a new era of space exploration.
Yuri Gagarin's Historic Flight
- Date: April 12, 1961
- Spacecraft: Vostok 1
- Speed: Approximately 27,400 kilometers per hour (17,000 mph)
- Orbit: Successfully orbited the Earth. While he didn't land inside his spacecraft, this detail doesn't diminish the historical significance of his flight. (Source: https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/why-yuri-gagarin-remains-first-man-space-even-though-he-did-not-land-inside-his)
- Famous quote: "Poyehaly!" (Let's go!)
His flight was a monumental achievement, inspiring generations and furthering the advancement of space technology. The United Nations even commemorates this event annually as the International Day of Human Space Flight. (Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-spaceflight-day) Many sources, including NASA, corroborate this fact. (Source: https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/april-1961-first-human-entered-space/)
Further Information on Gagarin
- You can learn more about Yuri Gagarin's life and legacy through his Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Gagarin
- The Planetary Society offers details about the Vostok 1 mission: https://www.planetary.org/space-missions/vostok-1
- Space.com provides additional facts about Gagarin's spaceflight: https://www.space.com/16159-first-man-in-space.html
