Vostok Space Capsule 1961 8

Description

Vostok space capsule, photo; Licensed item; Original: 5740×4315; Photographer: Unknown; license required; Rights: a9 Bleek/zb Media. The photo shows the Vostok space capsule, with which Yuri Gagarin flew into space as the first human on April 12, 1961. A “Space First” achievement of Soviet space exploration.
Description of the space capsule:
Vostok 1 was a spherical space capsule with a diameter of about 2.3 meters, designed for a single person.
It consisted of two main parts: the landing capsule, in which Gagarin sat, and an instrument module that was separated during re-entry.
The capsule was equipped with life support systems, a small window, and control instruments.
Significance of the flight:
On April 12, 1961, Gagarin launched with the Vostok-1 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and orbited the Earth in 108 minutes.
He reported from space the famous word “Поехали!” (Let’s go!) – a symbol for the beginning of the human space age.
After re-entry, Gagarin parachuted out of the capsule, as the Vostok was not designed for a soft landing.
The photo documents a milestone in space history, symbolizing the then-advantage of the Soviet Union in the space race and laying the foundations for future manned missions.