Published on: 2026-06-16
Source: Official website of the State –
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On June 16, 1963, from the Baikonur cosmodrome, the world’s first woman cosmonaut was sent into space — Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova. On the spacecraft “Vostok-6” she completed 48 orbits around the Earth in 71 hours — at an altitude from 181 to 231 km.
But the road to the flight was long and difficult. Hundreds of girls dreamed of being in Tereshkova’s place, but only five were chosen. Valentina Vladimirovna stood out thanks to her qualities: physical endurance, iron willpower, and self-control in extreme situations.
Tereshkova went through many stages of preparation:
- Thermal chamber.The cadet was placed in a chamber with a temperature of +70 °C and humidity of 30% to test resistance to high temperatures.
- Deaf camera.Girls were isolated for 10 days in a soundless and lightless room — this tested psychological endurance under conditions of solitude.
- Training in weightlessness.During the execution of the parabolic slide, weightlessness occurred, but it lasted only about 40 seconds. During one flight, 3–4 such sessions were made, and each required completing a task: writing a name, trying “space” food from a tube, talking on the radio.
- Parachute training.During landing, the cosmonaut ejected and landed separately by parachute — this was given special attention. The risk of landing the descent vehicle was taken into account, so parachute jump training was conducted in the sea, in the technology of the spacesuit.
- Theoretical and technical preparation.The girls studied the systems of the “Vostok” spacecraft, practiced manual control, and learned to transmit data (including Morse code) in case of failure of the main communication channels.
On June 16, 1963, at 12:30 Moscow time, Valentina Tereshkova was launched into space aboard the spacecraft “Vostok-6.” The mission lasted almost three days (2 days 22 hours 50 minutes), during which time the spacecraft completed 48 orbits around the Earth and covered about 2 million km. During the flight, Tereshkova kept a “flight logbook,” took photographs of the horizon (which later helped to discover aerosol layers in the atmosphere), and maintained communication with Earth.
However, the journey turned out to be difficult. Already in the first hours, Tereshkova encountered serious malaise due to weightlessness: she was plagued by nausea and general weakness, and the uncomfortable spacesuit only exacerbated the discomfort — the helmet pressed on her shoulder, the headset rubbed her ear, and beneath the sensors on her head there was itching and pain. Due to poor health, the cosmonaut was unable to carry out part of the planned scientific experiments: it was difficult for her to reach the compartments with biological samples, and it was not allowed to leave her seat.
In addition, technical difficulties arose. In the manual control program, an error was detected — due to incorrect wiring installation of the ship during an attempt at manual orientation, instead of decreasing the orbit, it began to increase. Tereshkova promptly noticed the anomaly and reported to Earth. Specialists sent her corrected data, and she was able to reprogram the onboard computer, regaining control over the apparatus.
Despite all the trials, Valentina Tereshkova completed the main program of the mission and successfully returned to Earth on June 19, 1963.
Tereshkova’s flight is a significant historical event. It provided scientific data on the influence of space conditions on the female body and confirmed the reliability of the Vostok series spacecraft. Moreover, it shattered stereotypes about “male” and “female” professions. Earlier, many believed that space was “not a woman’s business.” After Tereshkova’s feat, it became clear: if there is a goal and willpower, anything can be achieved—regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. Then the whole world began talking about the Soviet achievement—it seriously strengthened the USSR’s authority in the space race.
Valentina Tereshkova’s callsign during her spaceflight was “Chaika” (Seagull). The image of the seagull was associated with flight and freedom. It suited the space journey perfectly and was easy to remember — which was important for radio communication and media coverage of the event.
Before the start, Tereshkova uttered the phrase: “Hey! Sky! Take off your hat!”. This is a modified quote from Vladimir Mayakovsky’s poem “A Cloud in Trousers”. The combination of a poetic phrase and a call sign added a special atmosphere to the flight.
Tereshkova used this callsign in negotiations with the Flight Control Center. Over time, “Chaika” became her unofficial nickname — she is often called “the first Chaika of Soviet cosmonautics.” In honor of the callsign, the small planet 1671 Chaika, the Chaika Peninsula in the Yenisei Bay of the Kara Sea, and a crater on the Moon were named. “Chaika” became a symbol of courage and the pursuit of new horizons. Even now, it inspires researchers and dreamers all over the world.
Valentina Tereshkova received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for her feat.
The State University of Management proudly recalls this remarkable event and pays tribute to the first female cosmonaut, whose feat has forever entered the history of mankind. Our students study examples of outstanding achievements, such as Tereshkova’s flight, in order to develop leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and the ability to overcome any difficulties on the path to professional success.
Subscribe to the Telegram channel “Our GUU”Publication date: 16.06.2026
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