When did Yuri Gagarin decide to go to space?

Answer 1

Between 1958 and 1960, the Soviet Union identified possible candidates (mostly military pilots) for manned space flight. Although the early flights were to use automated controls, they needed men familiar with flight systems and radio communications. Yuri Gagarin was at the time a Lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force and volunteered to participate. Eventually he became the leading choice for the first manned space flight. On April 12, 1961, he was launched into orbit of the Earth.

Answer 2

Yuri Gagarin was selected as a cosmonaut and trained for space travel by the Soviet space program. He did not personally decide to go to space; rather, he was chosen by the Soviet authorities to be the first human in space.