Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel into space. She made history on June 16, 1963, when she was launched aboard the Soviet spacecraft Vostok 6. At the age of just 26, she orbited the Earth 48 times over a period of nearly three days, spending more time in space than all the American astronauts who had flown before her combined.
Born in the Soviet Union in 1937, Tereshkova was a textile worker and amateur skydiver before being selected as a cosmonaut. Her skydiving experience played a crucial role in her selection, as Vostok cosmonauts were required to parachute from their capsules during landing. She was chosen from over 400 applicants and five finalists to become the first woman in space.
Her mission was a major propaganda victory for the Soviet Union during the Cold War-era space race, and she became a national hero and an international icon. She later went on to have a successful political and public service career, holding various high-ranking positions in the Soviet and Russian governments.
Conclusion:
The first woman to travel into space was Valentina Tereshkova, who flew aboard Vostok 6 in 1963, paving the way for future generations of women in space exploration.