Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova was a Soviet cosmonaut. She was born in Maslennikovo, Russia, in 1937. In 1963, she became the first woman to fly in space. She orbited the Earth 48 times in nearly three days.

Early Life

Tereshkova grew up in a small village. Her father died in World War II. She worked in a textile factory. She loved parachuting as a hobby, which helped her get chosen for the space program.

Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman ever to fly in space.
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman ever to fly in space. (Alexander Mokletsov / Александр Моклецов / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Tereshkova flew aboard Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. She spent almost three days in space. She orbited Earth 48 times. It would be 19 years before another woman went to space. She later became a politician and engineer.

Fun Facts

  • Tereshkova was a textile worker, not a pilot, before becoming a cosmonaut.
  • She made 48 orbits around Earth in 70 hours and 50 minutes.
  • She volunteered for a one-way trip to Mars when she was 76 years old.

Did You Know?

Tereshkova's space flight lasted longer than all the American Mercury astronauts' flights combined. A crater on the far side of the Moon is named after her.