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Russian Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was the first man to orbit the Earth. Born on 9 March 1934 in Klushino near Gzhatsk, in 1960 he was selected for the Soviet space program, where he was subjected to a punishing series of experiments designed to test his physical and psychological endurance, as well as training relating to the upcoming flight. He excelled in all areas, and his height of only 157cm made him an ideal choice as the first to launch into space.

Gagarin was launched into space in Vostok 3KA-2, or Vostok 1, on 12 April 1961, becoming the first man in space and the first to orbit the Earth. Soviet authorities did not expect him to survive the descent back through Earth's atmosphere, so in-flight, he was promoted from Senior Lieutenant to Major. Gagarin did survive, and he became an instant, worldwide celebrity, touring widely to promote the Soviet achievement.

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16y ago

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