Yuri Alexeevich Gagarin, soviet pilot-cosmonaut and the first human being, who traveled to space, is born on March 9, 1934 in the Klushino village near the city of Gzhatsk. His parents were ordinary peasants. In 1941 Yuri goes to school, but fascists occupy his native village during the World War II (Great Patriotic War in Russia), thus making all schools close. Young Gagarin continues his primary education only in 1943, when his village and neighbouring territories are liberated. Gagarin family moves to Gzhatsk, where Yuri gets secondary education, and in 1949 after graduation from the six form, he enters vocational school in Lubertsy near Moscow to become a moulder.

In 1951 he graduates simultaneously from vocational school and school for working youth with honours. Being one of the best and most talented pupils, Gagarin is sent to Saratov technical school. During his studies, Yuri attends Saratov aeroclub and upon graduation from the technical school, he decides to dedicate his life to aviation. Aeroclub authorities recommend Gagarin for attending First Chkalov Air Force academy of Orenburg, which says good-bye to a gifted young man in 1957. Then Gagarin serves as a military aviator in fighter aviation of the Soviet North Fleet. 1959 is the year of competitive selection for candidates for the first flight to space, and in spring of 1960 Yuri Alexeevich is admitted to the first cosmonaut troop among other twenty officers.

On April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin performs first ever space flight on the “Vostok” spaceship, designed in S.P. Korolev’s experimental design office, makes one turn around the Earth, spending 108 minutes in space, and successfully lands near Smelovka village of Saratov Oblast. After the flight Gagarin develops his skills as a pilot and a cosmonaut and directly participates in training and practice of astronaut crews, as well as in mission management of “Vostok”, “Voskhod” and “Soyuz” spaceships.

In 1961 Gagarin enters Air Force Engineer Academy in Moscow. Together with his studies, Yuri Alexeevich prepares to future space flights, being a backup pilot of V.M. Komarov during his “Soyuz-1” trip, which ends with cosmonaut’s tragic death. In 1968 Gagarin defends his diploma project on reusable space vehicle and is recommended for further studies within the academy. Between 1964 and 1968 Gagarin is a deputy administrator of the Cosmonaut Training Centre and at the same time fulfills social and political duties, carrying peace and priendship to many countries of the world. Yuri Alexeevich is a laureate of many medals and awards in for his achievements in astronautics and space flights.

Yuri Alexeevich Gagarin is tragically killed in a flight accident, while performing a training flight on YTI MiG-15 airplane. To memorize first Earth’s cosmonaut his name is given to the city of Gzhatsk, Air Force academy in Monino. Soviet Government founds a scholarship, named after Gagarin, for students of air force academies of the country. International Aeronautical Federation establishes Y.A. Gagarin medal. Many scientific, educational and military institutions of the USSR bear Gagarin’s name, as well as a moon crater. Gagarin’s cinerary urn is buried in Moscow Kremlin wall.

Source:
    Krugosvet.ru
     ASTROnote Space Encyclopedia

Kizilova Anna