Int'l Day of Human Space Flight: A Look at the First Trip to Space

In 1951, young Gagarin was selected for training at the Saratov Industrial Technical School, where he studied tractors. While in Saratov, the 17-year-old man volunteered for weekend training as a Soviet air cadet at a local flying club, where he learned to fly a biplane and a Yak-18 trainer aircraft.

On October 27, 1955, at age 21 Gagarin was sent to the First Chkalov Air Force Pilot's School in Orenburg. A straight-A student with high demands for himself and his comrades, Sergeant Gagarin graduated from this school in 1957.

Two years later, when the USSR was deciding who would be suited for the first manned flight aboard the "Vostok 1," Gagarin requested to enroll in the group of candidates for cosmonauts. In 1960, after a selection process and comprehensive medical examinations, Yuri Gagarin was chosen for the Soviet space program with 19 other pilots.

Selection of the first cosmonaut group was carried out on the basis of medical, psychological and other parameters. Candidates should have been of age 25-30 years, up to 170 centimeters in height and weight no more than 70-72 kilos. They had to be absolutely healthy, professionally trained and disciplined. Yuri Gagarin was not only chosen as one of the first men enrolled in the first group of cosmonauts; he demonstrated himself as a leader.

Members of the first cosmonaut squadron, pilots Yuri Gagarin (left) and Pavel Belyaev during the parachute training.

Members of the first cosmonaut squadron (from left): Yuri Gagarin (second left), Pavel Popovich, Gherman Titov, Valery Bykovsky and Andriyan Nikolaev.

The first cosmonaut squadron included nine Air Force pilots, six Counter-Air Defense pilots and five pilots from the Aviation divisions of the Navy.

At the time of admission to the squadron, the eldest pilot, Pavel Belyaev was 34 years old, while the youngest one, Valentin Bondarenko was just 23.

Academician Sergei Korolyov, the founder of practical cosmonauticsb examines the candidate for cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had to do with the “Vostok 1” spacecraft, designed by Korolyov for the first manned space flight.

On April 8, 1961, Gagarin was chosen by the State commission to fly into space; Gherman Titov was selected the second after Gagarin as a backup.

Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin undergoes tests ahead of the first flight into space. Some chronical footage was later used in "The First Flight to the Stars," a 1961 documentary on the first manned space flight, directed by Igor Gostev.

Yuri Gagarin in the cockpit ahead of the flight into space.

Chief Designer Sergei Korolyov (right) saying his last parting words to Yuri Gagarin before the start. Later, Gagarin said that Korolyov gave him some advice and tips that he had never heard before and which could be useful during the flight. A few minutes later, a special blue bus has already traveled to the launch pad with Gagarin and Titov on board.

Gagarin (front) and Titov wearing spacesuits heading to the starting position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on April 12, 1961.

The last minutes before the launch of the “Vostok 1” spacecraft with space pilot Yuri Gagarin boarding on it.

The launch of the “Vostok” rocket with the “Vostok 1” spacecraft carrying USSR pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first person in history to fly to outer space, on April 12, 1961.

The radio communication between the launch control room and the spacecraft, Korolev said, "Preliminary stage... intermediate... main... lift off! We wish you a good flight. Everything is all right," and Gagarin replied, “Poyekhali!” (“Let's go!” or “Off we go!”). This quote later became a symbol of the new space era for mankind. The historic spaceflight consisted of a single orbit around Earth and took 108 minutes from launch to landing.