Valentina Tereshkova: Women’s Race to Space

Valentina Tereshkova's journey began in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo on March 6th, 1937. Little did the world know that this ordinary girl would go on to achieve something truly extraordinary – becoming the first woman to journey into outer space.

Tereshkova's path to the cosmos was paved with determination and a love for adventure. Her early experiences with skydiving only fuelled her passion for aviation. It was this skydiving background that made her eligible to apply for the Soviet space program, which had strict criteria for potential cosmonauts. Valentina, being under 30 years of age, less than 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and weighing no more than 70 kg (154 lb), fit the requirements perfectly.

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova etched her name into the records of history when she boarded the Vostok 6 spacecraft, becoming the first woman to venture beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Her mission lasted nearly three days (2 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes in space), during which she orbited the Earth 48 times, demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience in the face of the unknown.

After her launch, she radioed down:

“It is I, Seagull! Everything is fine. I see the horizon; it's a sky blue with a dark strip. How beautiful the Earth is ... everything is going well.”

Her call sign on this flight was Chaika (Russian: Чайка, lit. 'Seagull')

Tereshkova's groundbreaking achievement not only showcased the capabilities of women in space but also inspired generations of future astronauts, regardless of gender. Her historic flight shattered stereotypes and opened doors for women in the field of space exploration.

Beyond her groundbreaking journey into space, Tereshkova continued to champion the cause of women's rights and international cooperation in science and technology. Her legacy serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for women around the world.

She comments:

“One cannot deny the great role women have played in the world community. My flight was yet another impetus to continue this female contribution.”

As we honour International Women's Month, lets celebrate the achievements of pioneers like Valentina Tereshkova, who dared to dream and dared to defy.  We honour not only Tereshkova's historic flight but also the countless women and men who continue to push the boundaries of exploration, reminding us that the sky is not the limit – it is just the beginning.