First human in space
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On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin completed a single orbit of Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, becoming the first human in space
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07:00GMT: News of mission broadcast on Radio Moscow
06:37GMT: Enter eclipse
Launch: 06:07GMT. Tyuratam Missile Range (Baikonur Cosmodrome), Kazakhstan
07:10GMT: Exit eclipse
Landing: 08:05GMT near Engels, Saratov region
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Vostok-K rocket
Vostok launches. Gagarin shouts “Poyekhali!” (“Let’s go!”)

VOSTOK-1 DESCENT MODULE 
Covered with protective heat shield
SERVICE MODULE: Jettisoned before re-entry
FINAL STAGE OF LAUNCH VEHICLE

Final stage shut 2 down – Vostok reaches orbit

Re-entry: Mission comes close to disaster as securing band fails to detach – capsule begins to tumble

Gagarin ejects at 7,000m – first parachute deployed

Gagarin separates from seat at 4,000m, landing with own parachute. Descent module lands nearby
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Antennas 

VOSTOK-1
Weight: 4.7 tonnes
Length: 4.4m

FLIGHT FACTS
Duration 108 minutes 
Space time 89 minutes 
Speed 27,400km/hour 
Max. altitude 327km

Oxygen / nitrogen for life support

Securing bands

Ejector seat

Vzor
Optical alignment device

TV camera 

Control panel
Indicates cabin pressure and orbital position

Radio command link antenna

Communications antenna

Porthole

Entry/exit hatch Blown off when ejector seat fired

TDU-1 retro rocket

Gagarin is welcomed as paragon of “New Soviet Man”. The eight-year U.S./Soviet Space Race to put a man on the Moon begins

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© GRAPHIC NEWS
Sources: NASA, ESA, Encyclopaedia Britannica Pictures: Newscom

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