death was not made public until decades later. Still, Laika is often acknowledged as the first true astronaut. As satellite and space technology rapidly progressed, the Soviet Union once again decided to pioneer the way forward in space by launching the first human astronaut. Yuri Gagarin was launched into space on 12 April 1961, about three and a half years after the launch of Sputnik. Traveling on board Vostok 1, Gagarin orbited the Earth just once, which took 108 minutes. Gagarin then ejected from the capsule, about 4.35 miles (7 km) above the ground, parachuting to Earth a few hundred miles (km) away from the launch site in Kazakhstan. Some villagers witnessed Vostok 1 impact the ground near where Gagarin landed with his parachute. Being the world's first astronaut, Gagarin instantly became an international celebrity. Discuss this Article Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut in the world! Russia and America (during the iron curtain) were in the race. Who was the first to fly in space? It was Gagarin. anon146615 Post 13 Yuri Gagarin would have been the first Cosmonaut, and Alan Shepard the first Astronaut "in space", but who was the first Astronaut? anon53639 Post 11 You guys are really good. Well, I think Laika deserved to be honoured as being the first animal on sputnik 2 into orbit. Kunle from Naija anon51213 Post 10 i will give it to yuri gagarin. by the way, where's he? uchey, nigeria anon51181 Post 9 I pray that Laika is in heaven