According to Reuters, Russian president Vladimir Putin helped to celebrate Tereshkova’s birthday. He said to her, “Your flight was, and will remain, a matter of pride for the Soviet people, for the Russian people.”

Tereshkova was chosen as a candidate to be the first woman in space because she was a parachutist, one of the requirements for the mission. She was one of over 400 women who applied for the mission, all meeting the requirements of being under 30 years of age, under 70 kilograms (154 pounds) of weight, and under 170 centimeters (about 5 feet, 6 inches)  in height, along with parachuting experience.

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev selected Tereshkova from five final candidates. On June 16, 1963, she flew aboard Vostok 6 to become the first woman and first civilian to fly into space. Tereshkova orbited the Earth 48 times, spending two days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes in space. During her trip, she was able to establish radio communications with cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky, who was in orbit in Vostok 5.

After her historic mission, Tereshkova completed her engineering degree at Zhukovsky Air Force Academy and, later, earned her doctorate of engineering degree. She also held several political positions during her professional career. She retired from the Russian Air Force and the Russian cosmonaut corps in 1997.

She has been decorated with the highest award of the U.S.S.R., the Hero of the Soviet Union. Tereshkova has also been awarded the Order of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, the United Nations Gold Medal of Peace, and the Simba International Women’s Movement Award.

She has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to all Russian girls and women.

Recently she said, “If I had money, I would enjoy flying to Mars. This was the dream of the first cosmonauts. I wish I could realize it! I am ready to fly without coming back." [Reuters]

{moscomment}