In a historic feat, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova blasted off aboard Vostok 6 on June 16th, 1963, becoming the first woman in space. Her journey orbited Earth 48 times over nearly three days, making contact with fellow cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky who launched two days prior in Vostok 5. Tereshkova’s mission marked a significant achievement in the Space Race, showcasing Soviet advancements in human spaceflight.
