On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
June 16
Vostok
Mission
Vostok
Series
Soviet space program
Venue
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh SSR
Date
June 16, 1963
Agency
Soviet space program
Nickname
Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space
Crew
Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space

Aboard Vostok 6, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly in space, orbiting Earth 48 times over nearly three days. A former textile worker and amateur parachutist, she remains the only woman to have flown a solo space mission.

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