On March 18, 1965, at 11:34, Alexei Leonov made history by becoming the first person to venture into open space. This event marked a monumental step for all of humanity.
Soviet cosmonaut and Hero of the Soviet Union Yuri Gagarin congratulates Alexei Leonov after a training flight in a helicopter. © РИА новости
Mission Objective
The primary goal was to prove that humans could work in the vacuum of space. This achievement paved the way for future operations such as spacecraft repairs, construction of orbital stations, and other extravehicular activities.
Risk and Heroism
Leonov’s spacewalk nearly ended in tragedy. His spacesuit inflated, preventing him from re-entering the spacecraft. To reduce the suit’s volume, Leonov risked his life by lowering the internal pressure. This daring decision saved the mission.
Leonov’s Impressions
“The Earth was blue, and the sky was black,” Leonov recalled. He saw the mountain ranges of the Caucasus, bright stars, and the endless darkness of space. The 12 minutes he spent in space forever changed his perspective on the world.
The primary goal was to prove that humans could work in the vacuum of space. This achievement paved the way for future operations such as spacecraft repairs, construction of orbital stations, and other extravehicular activities.
Risk and Heroism
Leonov’s spacewalk nearly ended in tragedy. His spacesuit inflated, preventing him from re-entering the spacecraft. To reduce the suit’s volume, Leonov risked his life by lowering the internal pressure. This daring decision saved the mission.
Leonov’s Impressions
“The Earth was blue, and the sky was black,” Leonov recalled. He saw the mountain ranges of the Caucasus, bright stars, and the endless darkness of space. The 12 minutes he spent in space forever changed his perspective on the world.
Leonov’s hobby was painting. In collaboration with science fiction artist Andrei Sokolov, the cosmonaut created a series of USSR postage stamps on space themes. © РИА новости/ Alexander Mokletsov
“When I stepped into open space, I realized that we are all one family on this small planet.”
“When I stepped into open space, I realized that we are all one family on this small planet.”
Leonov and his crewmate Pavel Belyaev faced another challenge: the spacecraft’s automatic systems failed, forcing them to manually land the Voskhod-2. They touched down in a remote taiga forest and were found only two days later.
“I still can’t understand how I managed to do it,” Leonov said during one of his interviews, reflecting on his historic spacewalk. He spoke these words while recalling how he dealt with the emergency situation when his suit inflated, preventing him from re-entering the airlock of the Voskhod-2 spacecraft.
It was an extremely risky decision, as a sudden drop in pressure could have led to loss of consciousness or even death. Yet, he remained calm and completed the task, though he later admitted he never fully understood how he succeeded.
This phrase became a symbol not only of his personal courage but also of how humans can find solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems in extreme conditions.
Interesting Fact
Before the flight, Leonov trained in a vacuum chamber where his spacesuit unexpectedly depressurized. He miraculously survived, but this did not deter him.
60 Years Later
Today, extravehicular activities are a routine part of space missions. However, Leonov’s first step remains a symbol of bravery and scientific progress 🌍🚀✨
It was an extremely risky decision, as a sudden drop in pressure could have led to loss of consciousness or even death. Yet, he remained calm and completed the task, though he later admitted he never fully understood how he succeeded.
This phrase became a symbol not only of his personal courage but also of how humans can find solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems in extreme conditions.
Interesting Fact
Before the flight, Leonov trained in a vacuum chamber where his spacesuit unexpectedly depressurized. He miraculously survived, but this did not deter him.
60 Years Later
Today, extravehicular activities are a routine part of space missions. However, Leonov’s first step remains a symbol of bravery and scientific progress 🌍🚀✨
