Russia hails Gagarin space trip
Source: Agencies |
April 13, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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FROM patriotic songs blaring on the metro to parties on the International Space Station, Russia yesterday proudly celebrated 50 years since rocketing Yuri Gagarin into the first human orbit.
In a video link with space, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told astronauts aboard the orbital station that space exploration remained Russia's "priority."
"In those 50 years, we absolutely can't imagine life without space, without your flights," Medvedev told the crew from Russia's cavernous Mission Control Center, named after the legendary father of the Soviet space program Sergei Korolyov. "Space is our priority."
Space station Commander Dmitry Kondratyev said his current six-person American, Russian and European crew would celebrate the holiday from the "front lines" in weightlessness.
Back on Earth, Muscovites on their way to work were reminded of one of the most enduring victories - Gagarin's epic single Earth orbit on April 12, 1961 - with rousing Soviet-era hymns piped through speakers on the underground.
"This flight stirred the whole world and showed what humanity was capable of," said veteran Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, 76, who completed the first space walk in 1965.
Since Gagarin's epic journey into the unknown 50 years ago, some 500 people have followed him into space, including the first man on the moon, US astronaut Neil Armstrong.
In a video link with space, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told astronauts aboard the orbital station that space exploration remained Russia's "priority."
"In those 50 years, we absolutely can't imagine life without space, without your flights," Medvedev told the crew from Russia's cavernous Mission Control Center, named after the legendary father of the Soviet space program Sergei Korolyov. "Space is our priority."
Space station Commander Dmitry Kondratyev said his current six-person American, Russian and European crew would celebrate the holiday from the "front lines" in weightlessness.
Back on Earth, Muscovites on their way to work were reminded of one of the most enduring victories - Gagarin's epic single Earth orbit on April 12, 1961 - with rousing Soviet-era hymns piped through speakers on the underground.
"This flight stirred the whole world and showed what humanity was capable of," said veteran Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, 76, who completed the first space walk in 1965.
Since Gagarin's epic journey into the unknown 50 years ago, some 500 people have followed him into space, including the first man on the moon, US astronaut Neil Armstrong.
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