What was early space traveling like?

Answer 1

First of all it was quite dangerous because rocket technology was new and we didn't know a lot about what happens to humans in space.

For instance, Alexey Leonov, the first man to conduct a spacewalk found himself unable to get back into his capsule because his spacesuit had inflated like a balloon! He had to let air out to shrink it back to where it would fit through the hatch, but that carried the risk of passing out and suffocating! He made it eventually, but only just.

The flight computers used in the early days of spaceflight were less powerfull than a modern cellphone and required specialized training to use.

Yet, of course those dangers also made it exciting and successfull missions very rewarding.