The First Woman in Space: A Long Journey of Courage and Inspiration
On June 16, 1963, history was made when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly in space. She was aboard the Soviet Vostok 6 spacecraft, which orbited the Earth 48 times in almost three days. She was also the first and only woman to fly solo in space, a feat that has not been repeated since. Tereshkova’s mission was a milestone for women’s equality and a source of pride and inspiration for millions of people around the world.
Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937, in a village on the Volga River in central Russia. Her father was a tractor driver and a soldier who died in World War II when she was two years old. Her mother worked as a textile worker and raised Tereshkova and her two siblings. Tereshkova had a modest education and left school at 16 to work at a tire factory. She later joined her mother at the textile plant and became an active member of the Communist Party.
Tereshkova had a passion for skydiving since she was a teenager. She joined a local aviation club and made her first parachute jump at 22. She logged more than 90 jumps before she was selected for the Soviet space program. Her parachuting skills were crucial for the Vostok missions, which required the cosmonauts to eject from the capsule and land by parachute.
In 1962, Tereshkova was among five women who were chosen from more than 400 applicants to train as female cosmonauts. They underwent rigorous physical and psychological tests, as well as training in spacecraft systems, navigation, and communication. Tereshkova was the only one who had no prior flying experience, but she impressed her instructors with her intelligence, determination, and enthusiasm.
Tereshkova was assigned to fly on Vostok 6, the final mission of the Vostok program, which aimed to test human endurance and performance in space. She was given the call sign Chaika (Seagull) and launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on June 16, 1963. She was 26 years old at the time, making her the youngest person to fly in space.
During her flight, Tereshkova maintained radio contact with ground control and another cosmonaut, Valery Bykovsky, who was orbiting in Vostok 5. She also conducted scientific experiments, such as taking photographs of the Earth’s horizon and collecting data on cosmic rays. She reported feeling well and enjoying the view of Earth from space.
However, Tereshkova also faced some challenges and difficulties during her mission. She suffered from nausea and vomiting, which she later attributed to the food she ate before launch. She also discovered a serious error in the spacecraft’s automatic orientation system, which would have sent her into a higher orbit instead of returning her to Earth. She notified ground control of the problem and received instructions on how to correct it manually.
Tereshkova successfully landed on June 19, 1963, near a village in Kazakhstan. She was greeted by local residents and officials, who gave her flowers and bread. She was later awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union medal, the highest honor in the country. She also received many other honors and accolades from around the world, including the United Nations Gold Medal of Peace.
After her historic flight, Tereshkova never flew in space again. She remained in the cosmonaut corps as an instructor until 1969, when she married another cosmonaut, Andriyan Nikolayev. They had a daughter, Elena, who became the first person to have both parents as space travelers. Tereshkova later divorced Nikolayev and remarried Yuli Shaposhnikov, an air force doctor who died in 1999.
Tereshkova also pursued a political career and became a prominent member of the Soviet government. She served as a member of the Supreme Soviet from 1974 to 1989 and as a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1981 to 1989. She also held various positions in international organizations, such as the World Peace Council and the International Women’s Democratic Federation.
Tereshkova is still active in public life today. She is a member of the State Duma, representing the ruling United Russia party. She is also an advocate for space exploration and education. In 2013, she celebrated her 50th anniversary of her space flight and expressed her willingness to go to Mars, even if it meant a one-way trip.
Tereshkova is widely regarded as a pioneer and a hero for women and humanity. She broke the barriers of gender and social class and achieved what many thought was impossible. She inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and ambitions in science, engineering, and exploration. She also contributed to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the universe and our planet. She is a living legend and a role model for all.