Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut and the first man in space. On April 12, 1962, he orbited the Earth once in the Vostok 1 spacecraft and successfully returned home. Gagarin's flight into space represented a milestone for the Soviet Union. Its successful mission raised the profile of the USSR and its technological capabilities around the world.

After the USSR had already launched the first satellite and the first animals into space, they extended their lead in the "SpaceRace" with Gagarin's flight. Gagarin became an international symbol of courage, exploration, and scientific advancement.