Report by Major Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin, Pilot-Cosmonaut

REPORT by Major Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin, Keyn = . ilot- Cosmonaut of the USSR, on flight on spaceship-sputnik - "VOSTOK" April 12, 1961 On the 12th of April 1961, the Soviet spaceship-sputnik "VOSTOK" was put in orbit around the Earth with me on board. In preparation for the flight I had completed a special training pro- gramme worked out by our scientists. I had studied well the technical equipment and was well prepared for a space flight. Before the flight I felt fine and was absolutely sure of a successful outcome. The spaceship and its equipment was very good and reliable and all my comrades - scientists, engineers, technicians and I had no doubt as to the success of the space flight. During the flight I also felt fine. In the course of the powered flight, in the ascent period, g-loads and vibrations had no depressing effect on me and I could fruitfully work in ac- cordance with a predetermined programme. The spaceship put in orbit and the carrier-rocket separated, weightless ness set in. At first the sensation was to some extent unusual, although I had experienced weightlessness of short duration before. But soon I adapted myself to the condition of weightlessness, got used to it and could continue fulfilling my programme. My subjective opinion is that weight- lessness does not affect work capacity or physiological functions. During the whole period of flight I was carrying out fruitful work un- der the programme. I ate and drank and maintained continuous radio com- munication with the Earth on different channels by telephone and tele- graph. I controlled the operation of the spaceship equipment, sent reports to the Earth and recorded my observations in the logbook and on a magne. - tophone. During the whole period of weightlessness my work capacity was fully preserved, and I felt fine. Then in conformity with the flight pro- gramme at a definite time a command was given to descend, the brake pow- er unit was switched on and the spaceship acquired a velocity necessary for landing. The landing predetermined by the flight programme was ef- fected and I was back on the Earth happy to see my dear Soviet people. The landing took place in a prescribed area. Now I want to describe in short my observations while in space. From the height of 175-327 km there was a very good view of the Earth. Its surface had approximately the same appearance as when you look at it from a jet-plane flying at a high altitude. I could clearly distin- quish big mountain ranges, big rivers, large forests, coastlines and islands. I had a good view of the clouds covering the Earth's surface and of the sha- dow they cast on the Earth. The sky was jet-black. The stars were some- what brighter and clearer seen against that black background. The Earth had a very distinct and pretty blue halo. This halo could be clearly seen when looking at the horizon. It had a smooth transition from pale blue to blue, dark blue, violet and absolutely black. It was a magnificent picture.