Valentina Tereshkova
1937– · Soviet/Russian (Yaroslavl Oblast) · Cold War / Space Age
Known for: First woman in space—orbited Earth 48 times in 1963, more orbits than all American astronauts combined at that point
Tereshkova was a textile factory worker and amateur skydiver selected from over 400 candidates for the first female spaceflight. She orbited Earth 48 times in nearly three days aboard Vostok 6, experiencing nausea and discomfort but completing her mission successfully.
She became a national hero and prominent political figure in the Soviet Union. She has said she would volunteer for a one-way trip to Mars. She is the only woman to have flown a solo space mission. Her radio call sign was 'Chaika'—Seagull.
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