Yuri Gagarin: First Human in Space

The Historic Flight

On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Sergei Korolev's team launched Yuri Gagarin to become the first human to journey into outer space. His spacecraft, Vostok 1, completed one orbit around Earth, marking a milestone in human achievement and space exploration.

At 9:07 AM Moscow time, the Vostok-K rocket lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. During the flight, Gagarin maintained radio contact with Earth, describing his observations and his own condition. His famous words at launch, "Poyekhali!" (Let's go!), became a symbol of humanity's venture into space.

Vostok 1 on the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, April 12, 1961

The mission followed a precise flight plan. After reaching orbit, Vostok 1 traveled eastward, passing over the Soviet Union, the Pacific Ocean, South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, and back over the Soviet Union. The entire flight was automated, as there were concerns about how a human might react in space.

Upon reentry, Gagarin ejected from the spacecraft at an altitude of 7 kilometers and parachuted safely to Earth, landing near the village of Smelovka in the Saratov region. A local farmer and her daughter were the first to witness his landing, marking the successful completion of humanity's first journey into space.

Spacecraft and Systems

The Man Behind the Mission

Yuri Gagarin was chosen from among 20 candidates for the historic flight. His selection was based on his exceptional performance during training, his physical condition, his psychological stability, and his modest background as the son of a carpenter, which aligned with Soviet ideals.

Before the flight, Gagarin wrote a letter to his wife, to be delivered only if he did not survive the mission. His famous words at launch, "Poyekhali!" (Let's go!), became a symbol of humanity's venture into space.

Global Impact

Gagarin's flight demonstrated that humans could survive in space and marked the beginning of human spaceflight. His achievement made him an international celebrity and a hero in the Soviet Union. He toured the world as a goodwill ambassador, promoting the peaceful use of space technology.

The success of Vostok 1 intensified the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States, leading to rapid advancements in space technology and eventually to the Moon landings. April 12 is now celebrated as Yuri's Night, an international celebration of human spaceflight. This achievement had a lasting cultural impact on Soviet society and the world.