Updated April 12, 2024 at 12:45 p.m.
Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet Air Force pilot and cosmonaut became the first human ever to travel into outer space on this day in 1961.
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How long was Yuri Gagarin's space flight?
Yuri Gagarin's space flight on Vostok 1 lasted 108 minutes from launch to landing. During his flight, he orbited the Earth once, reaching a maximum altitude of about 200 miles (327 kilometers) above the Earth's surface.
How did Yuri Gagarin become the first human to travel into outer space?
Yuri Gagarin was born on March 9, 1934, in the village of Klushino, Russia. He was selected as a cosmonaut candidate in 1960 and underwent rigorous training, including centrifuge tests, weightlessness simulations, and parachute jumps. On April 12, 1961, he was launched into space aboard Vostok 1 and orbited the Earth once before re-entering the atmosphere and parachuting to the ground. He died in a plane crash on March 27, 1968, during a routine training flight.
What were the reactions to Yuri Gagarin's historic space flight?
Yuri Gagarin's space flight was a major propaganda victory for the Soviet Union, which was engaged in a Cold War space race with the United States. The achievement was celebrated worldwide, and Gagarin became an international celebrity. His flight also inspired a generation of young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.