50 Years of Human Spaceflight

Today, April 12, 2011, marks the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight. On this day in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space and the first to successfully orbit the Earth and land successfully.

Also on this day, 30 years ago, the United States launched Space Shuttle Columbia – the first orbital space vehicle designed for reuse, and further sparked my interest in spaceflight.

It is amazing to think how far humankind has come in just 50 short years. We need human spaceflight to continue to spark the imagination and awe of current and future generations. Please continue to support your country’s national and commercial spaceflight interests. They provide countless advances that help us in everyday life.

Want to know what kinds of things have started and benefitted from NASA and the US Space Program? Check out these links:

Benefits of the Space Program
Space Program Continues to Touch Everyday Life
NASA Technology on Twitter

Thanks to everyone who has been, and is part of any country’s human spaceflight initiatives.

C ya in orbit 😉
Flux.