# Valentina Tereshkova

> Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space (born 1937)

**Wikidata**: [Q44371](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44371)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentina_Tereshkova)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valentina-tereshkova

## Summary
Valentina Tereshkova was a Russian cosmonaut and pilot who became the first woman to fly in space, achieving this historic milestone during the Soviet Vostok 6 mission in 1963. Her achievement marked a significant breakthrough in gender equality in space exploration and inspired future generations of women in aerospace.

## Biography
- Born: March 6, 1937, in Maslennikovo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- Nationality: Soviet, later Russian
- Education: Graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1961
- Known for: Being the first woman to travel into space
- Employer(s): Soviet space program, later associated with the Russian space industry
- Field(s): Astronautics, aerospace engineering

## Contributions
- **First Female Cosmonaut**: Flown aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963, completing 48 orbits of Earth and setting a record for the longest solo spaceflight by a woman at the time.
- **Advancement of Women in Space**: Her mission broke gender barriers in human spaceflight, paving the way for future female astronauts and cosmonauts.
- **Scientific Data Collection**: Conducted experiments during her flight, contributing to research on human endurance in space.

## FAQs
### What was Valentina Tereshkova's most famous achievement?
Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space, flying aboard the Vostok 6 mission in 1963. Her flight lasted approximately 71 hours and included 48 orbits of Earth.

### Where did Valentina Tereshkova study?
She graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1961, where she trained as an engineer and pilot before being selected for the Soviet space program.

### What awards did Valentina Tereshkova receive?
She was awarded the Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR title, the Hero of the Soviet Union, and numerous other honors for her contributions to space exploration.

### How long was Valentina Tereshkova's spaceflight?
Her mission aboard Vostok 6 lasted 4,250 minutes, or roughly 71 hours, during which she completed 48 orbits of Earth.

### What impact did her mission have on space exploration?
Her flight demonstrated that women could endure the rigors of space travel, inspiring future generations of female astronauts and contributing to the broader goal of gender equality in space programs.

## Why They Matter
Valentina Tereshkova's historic spaceflight broke a fundamental gender barrier in human space exploration, proving that women could endure the physical and psychological demands of orbital travel. Her mission occurred during the Cold War's intense space race, showcasing Soviet technological prowess and reinforcing the USSR's claim of scientific and social progress. Tereshkova's flight inspired generations of women to pursue careers in science, engineering, and aerospace, gradually reshaping the demographic composition of astronaut corps worldwide. Her mission's technical success—long-duration solo flight, reliable re-entry, and safe recovery—contributed valuable data on human endurance, life-support systems, and orbital mechanics that informed subsequent Soviet and international missions.

## Notable For
- **First Female Cosmonaut**: Became the first woman to orbit Earth, a milestone in gender equality in space exploration.
- **Longest Solo Spaceflight at the Time**: Her 71-hour mission aboard Vostok 6 set a record for the longest solo spaceflight by a woman.
- **Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR**: Awarded this prestigious title for her contributions to spaceflight.
- **Hero of the Soviet Union**: Recognized as a national hero for her historic achievement.
- **Inspiration for Future Generations**: Her mission paved the way for women in space, influencing global space programs.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937, in Maslennikovo, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1961, where she trained as an engineer and pilot. Her academic background in aerospace engineering laid the foundation for her future career in space exploration.

### Selection and Training
Tereshkova was selected from a pool of 400 candidates to become a cosmonaut, a rigorous process that tested her physical and mental endurance. She underwent extensive training, including simulations of spaceflight conditions, to prepare for her historic mission.

### Vostok 6 Mission
- **Launch**: June 16, 1963, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
- **Duration**: 4,250 minutes (approximately 71 hours), completing 48 orbits of Earth.
- **Landing**: June 19, 1963, in Kazakhstan, where recovery teams retrieved her safely.
- **Experiments**: Conducted scientific experiments during her flight, including monitoring spacecraft systems and visual observations of Earth.

### Post-Mission Career
After her historic flight, Tereshkova continued to work in the Soviet space program, contributing to the advancement of women in space exploration. She later became a prominent figure in the Russian space industry, advocating for gender equality in aerospace.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR**: Awarded for her contributions to spaceflight.
- **Hero of the Soviet Union**: Recognized as a national hero for her historic achievement.
- **Order of Lenin**: Awarded for her outstanding contributions to the Soviet space program.
- **Order of the Red Banner of Labour**: Recognized for her work in the aerospace industry.

### Legacy and Influence
Valentina Tereshkova's historic spaceflight remains a landmark achievement in human space exploration. Her mission broke gender barriers and inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in science, engineering, and aerospace. Her legacy continues to influence global space programs, particularly in promoting gender diversity in space exploration.

## References

1. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6996121.stm)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [BBC Online](https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22779443)
4. [BBC Online](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23984725)
5. datos.bne.es
6. [Валентина Владимировна Терешкова. Биографическая справка. RIA Novosti. 2012](https://ria.ru/20120306/585046907.html)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](http://www.scientistafoundation.com/scientista-spotlights/the-top-6-female-astronauts-every-scientista-should-know-about)
9. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/astros/terhkova.htm)
10. [Source](http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202306160001)
11. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/valentina-v-tereshkova/)
12. [Anaya Appoints Three to Space Hall Panel. Albuquerque Journal. 1985](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29992320/albuquerque_journal/)
13. [Source](https://docs.cntd.ru/document/3645829)
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. MusicBrainz
17. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
18. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
19. filmportal.de
20. FemBio database
21. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
22. The Fine Art Archive
23. Munzinger Personen
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. BBC Things
26. declarator.org
27. Quora
28. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Valentina_Tereshkova-3Z6RJ)