First Person to Travel into Outer Space

You know that Yuri Gagarin was the first person to travel in space. But do you know how he was selected for the travel? He was not even aware of this himself when he joined the training.

What happened when he landed on earth after completing his space travel? Was he welcomed? Do you know how Yuri Gagarin died? You will be surprised to know the answers for these questions.

• Yuri Gagarin came from a very modest background. He was born in West Soviet Union. His father was a carpenter.

• Yuri Gagarin could attend school for only a few weeks due to an extraordinary situation. Nazis occupied Russia. All schools were closed. His father was forced to join the Army.

• Yuri Gagarin entered into an apprenticeship at the age of 16 at a steel plant near Moscow. Close to the steel plant, was a place where airplanes were manufactured. Yuri Gagarin was thrilled at that sight. He wanted to be a Pilot. He joined an Aero Club and learnt to fly.

• Suddenly, the pilots at the airports of Soviet Union were made to undergo rigorous medical tests and training. Why? To travel in space and go around the world. Most of them withdrew from the training. Two pilots were finally selected for the mission. Yuri Gagarin ranked first due to his physique, mental strength and his skill at handling aircrafts. Rigorous training was given to him for one year.

• On April 11, 1961 the spaceship called "VOSTOK" zoomed off the earth. It travelled at a speed of 29,000 km per hour.

• People were thrilled when they heard the voice of Yuri Gagarin from space. "Earth is indeed spherical"shouted Yuri Gagarin. His travel in space lasted for 1 hour and 48 minutes.

• Yuri Gagarin landed on the earth with the help of a parachute. An orange coloured cloth enclosed his whole body. He was wearing a white helmet.

• In 1968 Yuri Gagarin died in an air accident His ashes were buried in the Walls of Kremlin on Red Square.

- G.S. Subramanian