Yuri Gagarin

aka Yuriy Alekseyevich Gagarin, Yuriy Alexeyevich Gagarin, Yury Alekseyevich Gagarin, Yury Alexeyevich Gagarin, Yuriy Gagarin, Yury Gagarin, Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin

Cosmonaut, First Human in Space

Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who became first human in space aboard Vostok 1 (April 12, 1961). Completed single Earth orbit in 1 hour 29 minutes at maximum altitude 187 miles, launching 9:07am Moscow time. Small stature (5'2') suited cramped Vostok capsule. Flight brought immediate worldwide fame, awarded Hero of Soviet Union and Order of Lenin. Major Soviet propaganda victory in Space Race, demonstrating technological superiority and shocking Western powers. Became deputy training director of Cosmonaut Training Centre (later named for him). Died age 34 in MiG-15 training crash (March 1968). Remains global icon of space exploration and Soviet achievement.

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