Vostok Space Capsule 1961 4

Description

Vostok space capsule, photo; licensed article; original: 5740×4315; photographer: unknown; subject to license; 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” success of Soviet space exploration.
Description of the space capsule:
The 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, which was detached during reentry.
The capsule was equipped with life support systems, a small window, and control instruments.
Significance of the flight:
On April 12, 1961, Gagarin launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Vostok-1 rocket and orbited the Earth in 108 minutes.
He relayed the famous word “Поехали!” (Let’s go!) from space – a symbol of the beginning of the human space age.
After reentry, Gagarin parachuted out of the capsule, as the Vostok was not designed for a soft landing.
The photo documents a milestone in the history of space exploration, symbolizing the then Soviet Union’s lead in the space race and laying the foundations for future manned missions.