Gagarin Bust

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The text describes Yuri Gagarin's historic flight into space on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 3KA-3 (Vostok 1). Here are the key points from the text: **Selection Process** * In January 1961, Gagarin and three other cosmonauts were tested in a simulator at the M. M. Gromov Flight-Research Institute. * They were required to describe the various phases of the mission followed by questions from commission. * Gagarin received excellent marks on the first day of testing and was ranked as the best candidate for the first mission. **Final Selection** * On April 8, 1961, Kamanin nominated Gagarin as the primary pilot and Titov as his backup at the State Commission meeting. * The commission approved the proposal without much discussion. **Launch and Flight** * On April 12, 1961, Vostok 3KA-3 (Vostok 1) was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 6:07 am UTC. * Gagarin used the call sign Kedr (Siberian pine or cedar). * The radio communication between the launch control room and Gagarin included the famous dialogue: + Korolev: Preliminary stage ... intermediate... main... LIFT-OFF! We wish you a good flight. Everything's all right. + Gagarin: Off we go! Goodbye, until [we meet] soon, dear friends. **Re-entry and Landing** * The spacecraft orbited for 108 minutes before returning to Earth in Kazakhstan. * Gagarin ejected from the descending capsule at about 7,000 meters (23,000 ft) and landed using a parachute. **Certification and Recognition** * There were concerns that Gagarin's spaceflight record would not be certified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). * The FAI initially required that the pilot land with the craft. * Gagarin's spaceflight records were eventually certified, and he was internationally recognized as the first human in space and first to orbit the Earth.