SOVIETS LAUNCH FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) On June 16, 1963, the Soviet Union successfully launched Valentina Tereshkova* into space aboard Vostok 6**. The cosmonaut was the first woman to travel in space.
Tereshkova made 48 orbits of the earth, flying for a period of 71 hours. She parachuted to earth after being ejected from her spacecraft at 20,000 feet.
She was presented with the Order of Lenin and the Hero of the Soviet Union award.
*Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was born in Maslennikova, Russia in 1937. Her training in skydiving led to selection for cosmonaut training. In 1966, VVT became a member of the Supreme Soviet.
**Vostok 6 was manufactured by the Experimental Design Bureau of the USSR. Today it is displayed at the RKK Energia Museum near Moscow.
SOURCE
"First Woman In Space", June 16: This Day In History, www.history.com/
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) On June 16, 1963, the Soviet Union successfully launched Valentina Tereshkova* into space aboard Vostok 6**. The cosmonaut was the first woman to travel in space.
Tereshkova made 48 orbits of the earth, flying for a period of 71 hours. She parachuted to earth after being ejected from her spacecraft at 20,000 feet.
She was presented with the Order of Lenin and the Hero of the Soviet Union award.
*Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was born in Maslennikova, Russia in 1937. Her training in skydiving led to selection for cosmonaut training. In 1966, VVT became a member of the Supreme Soviet.
**Vostok 6 was manufactured by the Experimental Design Bureau of the USSR. Today it is displayed at the RKK Energia Museum near Moscow.
SOURCE
"First Woman In Space", June 16: This Day In History, www.history.com/
Vostok 6
Science Museum
London (2016)
Photo by Andrew Gray
