Soviet Man in Space

The first manned space flight in history was accomplished on April 12, 1961, when the Soviet spaceship Vostok (East) orbited the earth and made a safe landing.

The first man in space was 27 year old Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin, a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

After successful launching in the multi-stage space rocket the satellite ship, having attained orbital velocity and separated from the last stage of the carrier-rocket, had begun free orbital flight round the earth.

According to preliminary data, orbital period of the spaceship is 89.1 minutes; it minimum distance form the earth's surface (perigee) is 175 kilometres and its maximum(apogee), 302 kilometres; the orbit is inclined to the equator at 65°4'.

Together with its pilot, the spaceship weighs 4,725 kilograms excluding the weight of the last stage of the launching rocket.

Two-way radio communication has been established, and is being maintained, with the spaceman, Major Gagarin. The ship's short-wave transmitters are operating on 9.019 megacycles and 20.006 megacycles, and on 143.625 megacycles in the ultrashort -wave band. The condition of the space pilot during flight is being observed by means of radiotelemetering and television systems.

Major Gagarin, the space pilot, withstood the period of acceleration satisfactorily and at present feels quite well. The systems enduring the necessary life conditions in the cabin of the spaceship are functioning normally.

The flight of the Vostok with Major Gagarin on board continues...