On July 23, 1980, Famous pilot Pham Tuan together with Soviet cosmonaut Viktor Vassilyevich Gorbatko made a space flight on the spacecraft Union 37. He became the first Vietnamese and Asian to fly into space. General Pham Tuan and his companions during the historic space flight. Remember the past, General Pham Tuan said that on that day, to serve the flight into space, Vietnamese pilots were involved a lot, selected for 6-7 months. The selected person must meet the health criteria, understanding and awareness of the universe, in accordance with the program’s standards. After many rounds, there were 4 people in the Soviet Union, including General Pham Tuan. After nearly a month of recruitment examination at Moscow Central Military Hospital, the National Scientific Council called 4 people to announce, at that time everyone was nervous. “I was called in first and it felt like a beauty pageant. Unexpectedly, as soon as the leader of the delegation, all members of the Council shook hands and congratulated him. Then he trained at the space center for about 16 months. On July 21, 1980, Viktor Vassilyevich Gorbatko was named to fly together. Thus, he only knew that he was the main pilot 3 days before the flight time. General Pham Tuan said, about 2 hours before the flight, he had an insecure thought that he had an accident, but the probability was not great. The fleeting thought didn’t faze him, as the training had put a lot of faith in the crew. Bringing injustice for bringing mulberry flowers into space At exactly 1:33 on July 23, 1980 (Hanoi time) at Baikonur Cosmodrome (USSR) the Union 37 spacecraft piloted by Gorbatko and Pham Tuan launched into space. When the Vietnamese national flag was raised, we were officially named in the international space travel map. General Pham Tuan’s image in the historic flight He said, the ship made 142 orbits around the earth, conducted more than 30 aeronautical remote sensing experiments, dissolved mineral samples and plant experiments on mulberry flowers. He recalls: “The first time I saw the rotating earth hovering in the middle of a deep blue space, in zero gravity, it felt very special. The second interesting thing is that day and night only lasts for 90 minutes, of which 60 minutes is daytime, 30 minutes is night. “The plane flew over all the countries, looking through the window I saw the twinkling stars, much bigger and brighter because of the clean space, and then the sun and the moon. I’ve been trying to find my dear S-shaped strip of land to look at. Before that, I also flew a lot of planes, but to fly that high, maybe only once in my life, feeling too proud,” he added. He also said that during the flight, there was a problem, that is, when flying up to prepare for assembly, it should have turned 180 degrees to increase the speed to approach the mother ship, but when it turned 90 degrees, Rotary system failure. I couldn’t check forever so I had to turn off the machine and wait after nearly 90 minutes. The Bulgarian – Soviet flight crew also had a problem and failed to assemble, they had to return to Earth and could not continue their journey, so the crew was quite worried. But in the end it all worked out. General Pham Tuan said, after returning to earth, there were many rumors surrounding him and this flight, especially the story that he was carrying mulberry flowers. Many people have said, “Mr. Pham Tuan was born in the poor low-lying countryside of Thai Binh, specializing in raising ducks to feed pigs. Going to space did not bring anything good, but he brought duckweed. Now duckweed. I don’t know if it’s good or bad.” General Pham Tuan in a meeting with international friends. General Pham Tuan explained: The matter of bringing duckweed must be decided by a team of scientists, not about carrying whatever you like. Strawberry water lily is easy to proliferate, absorb carbon dioxide, and produce oxygen. There are a lot of radioactive rays in the universe, whether it has an effect on humans, on organisms that cause genetic mutations, and bringing the water lily up is for this research purpose.” General Pham Tuan affirmed that all these scandals did not affect his life much in the end, but even made him more determined and more effortful in his work. Please read and watch the video: Temporarily suspending the work of the Chairman of the commune for being negligent in fighting the epidemic in Bac Giang. Source: THTPCT.

The animals will head to the International Space Station (ISS) next week as part of SpaceX’s 22nd cargo resupply mission. SpaceX is set to launch microscopic creatures aboard its Falcon 9 rocket on June 3, 1:29 p.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Tardigrades are tiny, measuring just 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) long and are popularly nicknamed “water bears” due to their bear-like appearance when viewed through a microscope. – they are able to survive intense radiation; a pressure six times that found in the deepest parts of the ocean; and the vacuum of space, these microscopic animals are tougher much more than their cute name. In fact, the Israeli Beresheet spacecraft carrying thousands of Tardigrades was dried on board when it crashed to the moon during a failed landing attempt on April 11, 2019. If any life form can survive the crash, it is probably these creatures, especially since they are in a dehydrated state called “tun”, from which they can be resuscitated. . It is these abilities that have made the tardigrade a useful research organism on the ISS, where astronauts hope to identify the specific genes responsible for its remarkable feats of adaptation. with harsh environments. This should give us some important insights into the health effects of long-term space travel. “Some of the conditions in which water bears can survive include being dry, freezing and being heated beyond the boiling point of water. They can survive with thousands of times more radiation than we do, and they can can survive for days or weeks with little or no oxygen,” Thomas Boothby, assistant professor of molecular biology at the University of Wyoming and principal investigator of the experiment, said in a press conference. “They have been shown to be able to survive and reproduce during spaceflight, and can even survive long periods of exposure to the vacuum of outer space.” For Boothby’s study, astronauts will examine the molecular biology of the water bears to look for signs of any immediate and long-term adaptations to life in low Earth orbit. – objects that expose astronauts to the rigors of zero gravity and increased radiation exposure. He hopes that the information gathered from the organisms, prepared to arrive at the ISS in a semi-frozen state before being thawed, will provide important insights into future therapies that could protect health of astronauts during extended space missions. A separate and parallel experiment also carried out by the resupply mission will bring 128 baby bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) to the station. The 0.12-inch (3 mm) long squid have a special light-producing organ inside their body, where bioluminescent bacteria provide the squid with light. The researchers of this experiment hope to investigate the symbiotic relationship between bacteria and squid to see how beneficial bacteria interact with animal tissue in space. “Animals, including humans, rely on our bacteria to maintain a healthy digestive and immune system.” Jamie Foster, a microbiologist at the University of Florida and principal investigator of the Microgravity Understanding for Microbial Interactions (UMAMI) experiment. “We don’t fully understand how space changes these beneficial interactions.” The squids are born without bacteria, which they then get from the surrounding ocean, so the researchers are planning to add bacteria to the squid as soon as they are defrosted at the ISS. This way, the researchers could observe the squid as they established a symbiosis with the bacteria. By studying the molecules produced in this process, the researchers will be able to determine which genes the squid used to achieve the feat in space. Knowing this could help people better take care of the microorganisms in their immune systems and guts during long space voyages. Although the journey into space has been a stressful one, the tardigrades have suffered worse at least, having recently survived being shot from a high-speed gun. In that study, the researchers found that the tardigrade can survive tremors generated at speeds of about 3,000 feet per second (900 meters per second).

Water Bear – Tiny tardigrada that lives in the water. Photo: Earth Life According to CNN (USA), the SpaceX ship will carry necessities, scientific research experiments and even solar panels to the ISS station. In particular, 5,000 water bears and 128 small squids will also be sent to space this time. Both animals will participate in the experiments here. The scientists wanted to find out how water bears can tolerate the environment on the space station and whether microgravity affects the symbiotic relationship between squid and probiotics. Water bear in space Water bears look like little bears under a microscope. Photo: CNN According to Thomas Boothby, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Wyoming, water bears are known to be able to survive and thrive in the most extreme environments. They are a group of microorganisms that can survive under extreme pressure. “Water bears have the ability to survive drying, freezing and heating past boiling point. They can withstand radiation levels thousands of times higher than humans and can survive days or weeks without oxygen,” said Boothby. He said this is not the first time water bears have been sent into space. They have been shown to survive and reproduce in spaceflight, and can even survive long periods of exposure to the vacuum of space. “Scientists were able to sequence the genome of the water bear, thereby testing how the microorganism is affected by different environmental conditions based on their gene expression,” he said. more. Boothby’s experiment is also aimed at understanding how water bears are adapted to life in low Earth orbit. This could help to better understand the stressors humans face in the universe. The water bear will arrive at the ISS in a frozen state, then be defrosted, revived and grown in a special system. The results of the study will allow scientists to track which genes help water bears survive. For example, if researchers determine that water bears are making lots of antioxidants to help cope with high radiation levels, that means astronauts need to eat a diet rich in these nutrients. more anti-oxidant. “Our hope is that this knowledge will pave the way to the development of countermeasures or therapies to help protect astronauts during extended space missions,” said Boothby. Glowing squid ink Young long-tailed squid are swimming in sea water. Photo: CNN In addition, the researchers will also conduct the UMAMI experiment – a study that investigates microgravity on interactions between animals and microorganisms. Jamie Foster, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida and the lead researcher on the experiment, said the study aimed to understand how healthy bacteria interact with animal tissue in space. . “Animals, including humans, rely on the microbiome to maintain a healthy gut and immune system,” Ms Foster said. “But we still don’t fully understand how the universe changes those beneficial interactions. The UMAMI experiment using glow-in-the-dark dumpling squid will shed light on these important issues in human health. “. The stomach squid is only about 3mm long, making it the perfect model to study for two reasons. They have special luminous organs in their bodies, which may contain a species of luminescent bacteria. The squid then uses the bacteria to glow in the dark. Since there’s only one species of bacteria and one type of host tissue, it’s easy for researchers to track how that happens. “Squid has a similar immune system to humans. We can see a lot of similarities in how the immune system responds to these beneficial bacteria in the space environment,” she added. The baby squid are born without bacteria, so they must be collected from the environment. The team of experts conducting the experiment will promote a symbiotic relationship by introducing bacteria into the squid and observing what happens in the first few hours. In the experiment, the squids will be placed in an automatic container. The pump will pump water or bacteria as they need it. After that, the squid tissue will be frozen on the ISS station and brought back to Earth. In addition, the scientists also carried out other experiments including mobile ultrasound, remote control of the robotic arm with virtual reality technology, analysis of how kidney stones form in space, studying the microbiome of the kidney. organisms in the mouth and produce more resistant cotton. Hundreds of scientific experiments are conducted every day on the ISS station, which is likened to a space laboratory. Astronauts will monitor this experiment and report their observations to researchers on Earth. These studies will help us better understand zero-gravity life and explore possible benefits on Earth.

The moment the Vostok 1 and Gagarin left the launch pad. Photo: AP

Not to be outdone, in 1958, the US also successfully put the Explorer 1 satellite into orbit. After this period, the two sides entered a fierce race to conquer space, aiming to become the first country able to bring people to space.

Finally, the Soviet Union was the country to finish earlier, with astronaut Yuri Gagarin’s orbit exactly 60 years ago, on April 12, 1961 – the flight is historic and is considered to have changed change the world.

According to RBTH, Yuri Gagarin was born on March 9, 1934 in an ordinary carpenter family in Smolensk. At the age of 16, he moved to Moscow and then entered an engineering school in Saratov. Gagarin has been dreaming of the sky since childhood. One of the first pictures of Gagarin that his family still has is a young man standing by the wing of an airplane, raising his hand in excitement.

Image of Gagarin sitting on the Vostok spacecraft 1. Photo: ITN

While still a student in Saratov, Gagarin volunteered to join an aviation club. Thanks to his talent and relentless efforts, in 1955, at the age of 21, Gagarin was sent to the Chkalov First Air Force Pilot School in Orenburg and graduated with excellent results after 2 years.

In November 1957, he officially became a military pilot with the rank of lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force. At the same time, the Soviet Union launched an artificial satellite to bring the dog Laica into space. In the early 1960s, he enrolled in the secret program of selecting astronauts for a flight to space and became one of the group of 20 brightest candidates.

Yuri Gagarin. Photo: ITN

After nearly a year of hard training, Gagarin has proven the qualities that show he is the best person, passing all rigorous physical and mental tests – the most important factor for an astronaut. The universe.

On April 8, 1961, major pilot Gagarin was officially selected to be the first person to fly into space. His substitute was none other than astronaut Gherman Titov, who later flew into space aboard the Vostok 2 spacecraft on August 6, 1961.

The night before the flight, April 11, 1961, Gagarin and Titov spent the night in a small bungalow in Baikonur. “I’m leaving tomorrow and I can’t even believe it will be me,” Gagarin told his colleague. At 5:00 a.m. on April 12, 1961, two astronauts were awakened and taken to Baikonur airport.

The convoy carried Gagarin when he returned to Moscow on April 14, 1961. Photo: TASS

After completing the final procedures, Gagarin boarded the Vostok 1 train, Titov remained for the next mission. At 9:07, the ship and Gagarin left the launch pad. After 10 minutes, the train enters orbit at a speed of 29,000 km / h, reaching a maximum altitude of 327 km. Gagarin became the first person to see the species’ common home from outer space.

“I see the Earth, it’s beautiful,” he said from space in his colleague’s rupture on the ground.

After completing a 108-minute round-the-Earth journey, Gagarin and his landing gear landed safely by parachuting into a field in the state of Saratov. Due to his landing a few kilometers from the proposed site, the first two people to see him were an old farmer woman and a baby girl. Gagarin once spent several minutes explaining to them he was … not a Western spy, according to WION.

Gagarin’s landing gear landed in a field in Saratov. Photo: ITN

When a colleague appeared, he was greeted with glee. He rested for a few days and was brought back to Moscow on April 14, 1961 on a jet. Hundreds of thousands of Soviet citizens filled the streets of Moscow at that time to celebrate the country’s hero.

According to Russian media, because of the dangerous and secret nature of the flight mission, after being selected as the first astronaut, Yuri Gagarin even wrote a suicide note. If the worst happens, the letter will be sent to your family.

Also, since no one had ever been to space before Gagarin, Soviet scientists could not predict every situation that happened to astronauts. Therefore, the Vostok is controlled from the ground and Yuri Gagarin can only intervene in case of emergency.

Talking about the moment in space, Gagari said seeing the soft blue Earth, next to the dark sky, but with many bright stars. Gagarin could not see the Moon but the Sun was very bright, many times brighter than from Earth.

Gagarin visited London in 1961. Photo: Russian DSQ in London

After the legendary flight, Gagarin participated in Soviet space training and research activities. He also spends a lot of time traveling around the world to inspire his travels and met many famous people.

In 1967, after witnessing his best friend, astronaut Vladimir Komarov, died when a mission to connect two spacecraft in orbit failed, he collapsed.

On March 27, 1968, more than a year after the death of his best friend, Yuri Gagarin returned to the flight route with the task of training a test pilot on the first generation MiG-15 jet fighter. However, the MiG-15 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing him.

Gagarin before the fateful flight in 1968. Photo: ITN

At that time, the Soviet Union decided not to publish specific information about the cause of Gagarin’s death, creating many speculations. In 2011, 50 years after Gagarin’s space flight, the Russian government published more than 700 pages of documents about Gagarin, which revealed that the weather on March 27, 1968 was very complicated and the dive moves. Gagarin, or its co-pilot, put the plane in danger.

Astronaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person to fly into space. Photo: history.com

On April 12, 1961, the Vostok spacecraft carrying astronaut Gagarin was launched from Baikonour Space Airport in Kazakhstan, then part of the Soviet Union. The flight lasted just 108 minutes when the ship completed one orbit of the Earth and returned. Since then astronaut Gagarin also became a legend, and the day he took his flight became Russia’s Astronaut Day.

The historian Alexander Zheleznyakov called this a moment that gave humanity a firm conviction that discovering another world outside of the vast universe was entirely within reach. The event has made such a deep impression that the 27-year-old astronaut’s “Poekhali” has become a symbolic catchphrase for the Russian people throughout the years to come.

After 60 years, astronaut Yuri Gagarin, still mentioned as a hero of the nation. Every year, many Russian people still come to place flowers at his memorial sites across the country on April 12. Historian Vyacheslav Klimentov calls Gagarin’s miracle an inspiration to unite all Russians.

Not only loved by courage and ingenuity, Yuri Gagarin is also a shining example, a symbol of success rising from difficulties. Gagarin grew up in a working family, whose parents were carpenters and peasants. He initially studied steelmaking before being recruited to pilot the Soviet army and, at the age of 27, became the first person to fly into space.

While Gagarin was honored, the Vostok spacecraft was also put on display at the Space Travel Foundation in Moscow. Here, on April 13, there will also be an exhibition about Gagarin’s life and career, with many artifacts such as Gagarin’s documents, photos and personal belongings, from when he was a child or when he was still sitting. school chair.

Up to now, Gagarin’s flight has always been referred to as national pride for each Russian, a symbol of the Soviet Union’s power in the aerospace field. Four years before Gagarin’s flight, on October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union was also the first country in the world to put a satellite in orbit on Earth – the Sputnik satellite. Until now, the world still considered the first two “beep-beep” signals Sputnik sent to Earth triggered a race between the Soviet Union and the United States in the space field. .

In the years that followed, Russia always took the lead when Gagarin successfully flew his flight, or the fact that the astronaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to step into space and the fact that Russia was the first country to launch. the lunar probe was launched in 1966. However, three years later, the United States became the first country to send a man to the Moon.

Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft carrying three astronauts off the launch pad at Baikonur Space Airport, Kazakhstan, April 9, 2021. Photo: AFP / VNA

Over the past 60 years, Russia has maintained its leading position in space exploration, steadily sending astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). However, observers assess that Russia is competing with strong competitors such as the US and China in the race to develop space technology. In 2020, Russia loses its monopoly on human launchers on the ISS when US tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Space X Company develops and successfully put into use reusable missile systems, put astronauts the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) successfully landed on the ISS. Although the director of the Russian Aerospace Agency (Roscosmos) Dmitry Rogozin insists the agency is pursuing ambitious projects such as a mission to Venus, Mars or setting up a space station on the Moon, the Industry insiders still see this as a difficult time for Russia as competitors emerge increasingly strong.

However, the Russian people still believe in future success when looking at the historical fact that this country always appears at memorable times in human history. Not only has an influence in the aerospace field, Russia has made its mark on the historic arena with great inventions such as the AK-47 rifle, the hypersonic weapons or most recently, the COVID vaccine. -19 world’s first Sputnik-V.

These documents and images are selected from the archival and cultural institutions of the two countries: The National Russian Academy of Archives of Political and Social History, the National Archives Center III, the Bureau of Clerical and Archives. State of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Ho Chi Minh Museum. In particular, some documents and documents provided by astronaut Pham Tuan …

In the book, there are a number of documents that have just been declassified, published for the first time, introduced to readers, providing valuable information and documents not only for researchers on scientific and technical achievements. the above meaning, in terms of the history of international relations, is for all those who are interested in the history of relations between the two countries Vietnam – the Russian Federation.

The book “Historical Astronaut” contains many classified documents

The book’s content is arranged into 3 parts.

Part 1 “Collaborative space research. The pre-flight preparation and training process in 1980 ”introduces documents and photos about the preparation process of the two countries Vietnam – Soviet Union / Russian Federation and the selection of pilots for the flight, as well as the process of exercising effort.

Part 2 “Departure and Activities” introduces some documents and photos of astronauts in the outer-Earth’s cabin.

Part 3 “Return to Earth”, contains pictures of the astronauts’ activities after the end of the flight, thereby highlighting the value and meaning of flight. It opens a new era, belief, hope, pride and determination in human life, production, study, as well as conquering nature and the universe.

Mr. Dang Thanh Tung, Director of the State Records and Archives Department emphasized: “The book is also a testament to the effective cooperation of the archival agencies and cultural agencies of the two countries to contribute to the At the same time, this is also an opportunity for the two Archives agencies of Vietnam and the Russian Federation to share and promote the value of archives currently preserved in the archive of the two countries “.

On July 23, 1980, pilot Pham Tuan with Soviet astronaut Gorbatko was launched into space from Baikonur space airport aboard Soyuz-37. During 8 days in space, hero Pham Tuan performed 142 orbits around the earth, conducted many scientific experiments, and photographed Vietnam from earth orbit.

Viktor Gorbatko (left) and Pham Tuan. Photo: AFP.

In a time sharing with the students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, hero Pham Tuan said that it only took him one year and three months to prepare, including studying engineering and physical training, for the flight. This time is shortened compared to pilots from other countries, because before that he was a pilot of a military fighter plane.

When the ship was just launched, people lost the attraction of the earth so the blood did not circulate normally, but put more head on the head. At that time, his face was swollen from the blood rushing to his head. Three days later, the face was pressed down so a layer of skin was removed. He lost sleep for several days, his mind was always in a state of tension.

Moving and working on a spaceship is very difficult. Eating and drinking is also miserable when they only have dry food prepared like toothpaste to eat and drink two liters of water a day.

Talking about the feeling of seeing the earth from outer space, hero Pham Tuan said it was a rare and unforgettable feeling.

“At that time, it was not Vietnam, the Soviet Union or any other country, but the earth was the home of the pilots. The happiest of pilots was that after working hours, there was a few minutes of rest and thinking. about the earth, family, relatives, “he said.

Astronaut Yuri Gagarin. Photo: Heritage.

While waiting for the Vostok-1 to be launched, the famous saying “Поехали!” Gagarin’s (“Let’s go!”) Shows his daring personality. This personality has also become a brief motto in the human travels later on.

Over the years, the space exploration community has made great strides, including the first crewed flight flight, the first female astronaut’s space walk, and a pairing experiment. to examine the impact of the environment in space on humans. Of the twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly, Mark will be on Earth and Scott will fly into space.

April 12 was officially recognized as the United Nations’ International Astronaut Day. Many space lovers take part in a global space party known as “Yuri’s Night” to mark a big occasion.

“Endless exploration is deeply entrenched in each of us, and space travel is a practical way to realize this extraordinary cosmic mission,” said Clément Fortin, Professor of Practice at the Center. Space under the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) in Moscow, Russia, writes in an email.

According to him, the achievement of Yuri Gagarin opens up other great possibilities, though it is difficult to achieve in particular.

Yuri Gagarin and the first voyage into space

The first crewed trip was a milestone for all of humanity, but the day astronaut Yuri Gagarin first flew into space was a special resonance for Russians, who saw Gagarin as a taste. Valuable national hero. His name is given to many monuments, buildings and locations across the country.

“In Russia there are a lot of events being held on this day. We will participate in events that explain how space technology works and how the future of space exploration,” said Anton Ivanov. , Director of Skoltech’s Space Center, replied in an email.

The Vostok-1 is launching at the Baikonur Cosmodrome station, Kazakhstan.

Human space travel is an effort that has been successful in the past 60 years, but also leaves a lot of regret for many young people. Teenagers under the age of 20 have never experienced an undiscovered space, when there are no humans in orbit, as the space station (ISS) has been occupied since day 2. 11/2000.

Earlier, Russia’s Mir space station flew into Earth orbit from 1986-2001, pioneering multi-day crew trips. Russian astronauts Mir still holds the record for the 3rd longest in the history of mankind’s longest journeys.

Before the Gagarin flight 60 years ago, no one had set foot in space. The Soviet space program put many animals into space, such as the famous Laika, the first animal to fly around the Earth. Even so, Gagarin still faces a completely new challenge with great principles that will change the entire history of space travel, regardless of the mission.

“In the early 1960s, the missile technology was still incomplete, despite many tests, the missile was blown up,” Mr. Ivanov said.

According to him, before Gagarin’s ship was launched, there were several failed launches. Gagarin sat on the train as if riding a bomb. Since the astronauts knew the statistics well, they had the courage to board the Vostok-1 and carry out their mission.

He’s like he’s riding on a bomb

Anton Ivanov, Director of Skoltech’s Space Center

Fortunately, Gagarin and his crew’s courage paid off. After hours inside the Vostok-1 on the launch pad, Gagarin was finally launched into the air at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch station, Kazakhstan, at 6:07 Coordinated International (UTC).

Gagarin entered orbit a few minutes later, maintaining a calm and positive attitude throughout the 108-minute flight.

Lessons from the first flight

The cockpit of the Vostok-1 has a spherical shape made mainly of aluminum alloy and covered with abrasive material. Unlike today’s capsule cocktails, the ship carrying the Gagarin was not designed to reach the ground safely.

The small metal ball was equipped with only one escape option that Gagarin had to manipulate in order to be dropped from a great distance from the ground, so that he could parachute into a safe place while the Vostok-1 landed separately. .

After completing a round-trip around the Earth, the Vostok-1 is sent back into space. At that time, Gagarin successfully escaped an open door and fell into the countryside in Kazakhstan.

The ship carrying Gagarin was not designed to land safely, so he had to parachute to escape the ship while it landed somewhere else.

Even though the mission was a success, this was still a hair-raising risk on the back of the neck. In an email, Ms. Anastasia Ilina, founder of the Russian space diffusion community Space Flight and project coordinator of the Skoltech Space Center, described the Vostok-1 as “flight into space, one the flight has no guarantees “.

“During Yuri Gagarin’s flight, we had difficulty closing the spacecraft lid, and after launching, the ship moved in orbit faster than planned,” she said.

When she returned, she said, the push-and-brake system produced unsafe braking impulses, making the ship twisted and landed with difficulty.

“But even though there were technical difficulties, we all got over it,” added Ms. Ilina.

According to her, it was important that the first flight taught the crew (astronauts, guides, engineers) a lesson on how to coordinate work and manage space equipment.

In fact, Yuri Gagarin proved that one can step inside a metal sphere and change the trajectory of human discovery forever. Within a decade of his first flight, many astronauts in the Apollo program had landed on the Moon.

This is an American achievement born of the Cold War due to the successes of the Soviet Union that sparked the space race.

While possibly strong interstate geopolitical tensions over space travel still exist, mankind’s travels have evolved into a collaborative endeavor.

Astronauts from 18 different countries and new international collaborations such as the Artemis program led by NASA aim to bring people back to the Moon.

The advent of commercial crews also reshaped human spacecraft, heralding a new era of space travel that is imminent in the near future.