Yuri Gagarin (Юрий Гагарин)
Description
Yuri Gagarin was the first human being to journey into outer space, and remains one of the most influential figures in the history of Earth and space exploration. His pioneering orbital flight aboard **Vostok I** in **1961 CE** marked the beginning of human space travel and solidified his legacy as a universal symbol of courage, exploration, and Cold War-era achievement.
Spaceflight
On the day of the mission, as the **Vostok I** rocket launched into the sky, Gagarin famously shouted: _"Поехали!"_ ("Let’s go!"). His enthusiasm was unmatched, as he became the first human to observe Earth from orbit.
During the early stages of the launch, Yuri observed the atmosphere gradually transitioning to the blackness of space through his pod’s small viewport. From orbit, he witnessed stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and other breathtaking expanses of Earth's surface. Radio stations across the world, including in the United States, eventually picked up his voice from orbit.
As Vostok I completed its orbit, Gagarin prepared for reentry. However, an unexpected complication occurred: the service module failed to detach cleanly. Only as the spacecraft reentered the denser layers of the atmosphere did the mounting heat and pressure sever the remaining cord.
As planned, Gagarin safely ejected from the capsule at high altitude and parachuted down to Earth, landing in one piece—while the Vostok capsule was destroyed upon impact.
Impact
Gagarin’s journey stunned the world. He became a global sensation overnight. For the Soviet Union, his successful mission symbolized a major victory in the Cold War’s **Space Race**—a technological and ideological rivalry with the United States.
In response, the United States rapidly escalated its own space program. **Alan Shepard** would become the first American in space shortly afterward, followed by monumental efforts like the Apollo missions.
Yuri Gagarin’s name has lived on for centuries. Statues, monuments, fictional reinterpretations, and even spiritual iconography abound in his honor. A portrait of Gagarin still exists in the **Human Museum** on the planet Lokira, where his legacy is presented as the dawn of mankind’s interstellar destiny.
Legacy
Gagarin's life and mission are taught in schools across the settled systems, and his name is invoked whenever the human spirit of exploration is discussed. His symbolic call, "Let’s go!" echoes still across time, space, and species.
Description
Yuri Gagarin is one of the most important people in Human History. This is because he is the first Human to exit the bounds of Earth, and go astray into the orbit of space. The fact that he went into space at all started from the age old Cold War declared by the Soviet Union and The United States of America. This war wasn't really a war, more of a competition of who would be better in essentially anything. (Examples include drilling, rocket launches, the amount of weapons you had)
Spaceflight
As soon as the Vostok I rocket launched, Yuri shouted "Поехали!" (Let's Go!) He was excited to see what would be held for him up in space.
Within the first few minutes of the launch, Yuri would see the atmosphere slowly turn to black through the small peephole he was given on his command pod. He would end up looking at the Pacific Ocean, and other marvelous features of Earth. American radio stations ended up hearing Yuri's voice later on.
While orbiting Earth, he passed by The Atlantic, and eventually back to Europe where the retrograde rockets were fired. But, when Yuri tried to detach his pod from the small fuel section, the cord did not snap properly until atmospheric heat and pressure snapped it on its own. Yuri seemed like he was going on a crash course down to Earth.
Luckily, while the pod was going down, the hatch opened properly and he parachuted down safely as his pod got obliterated.
Effect
The effect Yuri Gagarin had on society (especially American) was shocking. How could you fling a man in a metal tin can and let him see the gracious Earth? The launch and Soviet achievement made The United States act in a frenzy, eventually sending astronaut Alan Shepard to space shortly after Yuri's launch.
Yuri Gagarin is still widely remembered even today, millennia after his death. There are countless paintings, drawing, and even alternate stories of him floating around somewhere. There is even a small portrait of him in the Human Museum on Lokira.