International Day for Human Space Flight

 

International Day for Human Space Flight takes place across the world on April 12. The day celebrates the first space flight and the first human being in space — the great Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin.

On April 12, 1961, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth in Vostok 1 (Vostok 3KA-3) on a flight lasting 108 minutes and became the first human being to leave the confines of the Earth's atmosphere. The space capsule was carried aloft by a Vostok 8K72K rocket, derived from the R-7 ICBM, from a launch site that was claimed to be at 47oN 65oE, not far from the mining town of Baikonur in Kazakhstan. In fact, the true launch site was about 320km to the southwest, near Tyuratam railway station and the name 'Baikonur' was used to cause confusion and keep the location secret. Presently known as Gagarin's Start (45.920278oN 63.342222oE) the launch pad is part of the world's largest operational space launch facility now known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

This historic event opened up experiences for humanity like never before. Following Gagarin’s flight to space, there was a renewed enthusiasm for the study of spaces and the cosmos. The day also celebrates humankind’s remarkable progress in building a sustainable relationship with space and using the knowledge for the betterment of every inhabitant of our planet. International Day for Human Space Flight is a celebration of scientific temperament.