Gagarin Becomes the First Human to Orbit Earth
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science, Aviation, Space Exploration
- Subcategories: Scientists, Astronomy, Astronomers, Cosmology, Astronauts, Cosmonauts
- Curriculum: 20th & 21st Century European History, Russian/Former Soviet States History
- Geographical Location: Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Central Asia
- Date: April 12, 1961
Article abstract: Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth, furthering the efforts of space exploration by the Soviet Union.
Summary of Event
Yuri A. Gagarin, born in Gzhatsk in the Smolensk Region of the Soviet Union, studied at the Saratov flight school, and eventually joined the Soviet Air Force in 1956. In 1959, Gagarin volunteered to be a cosmonaut, before a call was made for Air Force test pilots between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five to volunteer. The initial screening for cosmonauts was made in October of 1959. Gagarin was chosen as...
[The entire page is 2070 words long]
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