Yuriy Gagarin (unknown date)
Yuri Gagarin
Caption : Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968), Soviet cosmonaut. Gagarin became the first person in space when he was launched on Vostok 1 on 12th April 1961. The flight lasted for just one orbit, ending 108 minutes after take-off. As the controls were intentionally locked, Gagarin had no control over the spacecraft. He was later killed in a plane crash.
Credit : NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY