International Day of Human Space Flight

April 12, 2022

On the 12^th of April, the International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated annually. This day is celebrated to commemorate humankind’s beginning of the space era and also highlights the importance of space technology and science.

History of the day

On 12^th April 1961, the first human space flight was carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a citizen of the Soviet Union. On the Vostok 1 mission, he completed one orbit around the planet for over 108 minutes. The spacecraft on which he orbited around the planet was named Vostok 3KA and it was launched on a rocket named Vostok-K. The launch took place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, USSR.

Resolution passed by UNGA

On 7^th April 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution declaring 12^th April to be celebrated as the International Day of Human Space Flight while the USSR decided to celebrate 12^th April as Cosmonautics Day. Even today in Russia and some parts of the former Soviet Union this day is celebrated. On 12^th April, World’s Space Party or Yuri’s Night is also organized to commemorate the milestones achieved in space exploration.

Significance of this day

This day is observed to celebrate that exploring outer space added a new dimension to the existence of humanity. It also highlights the unique benefits of outer space-related experiments that can be utilized for the betterment of all humankind. Space exploration has helped in various fields like navigation, communication, weather forecasting, etc. Space scientists have also made developed advanced technologies to detect potential hazardous objects that are approaching Earth and roaming in our solar system. Also, due to the advancements in space technologies that first image of a Blackhole was also captured.

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