The first manned space flight occurred in 1961. On April 12 of that year, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history as he orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. This landmark mission lasted approximately 108 minutes and reached an altitude of about 200 miles, marking a significant achievement in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Gagarin's successful flight not only demonstrated human capacity for space travel but also inspired generations of scientists and explorers. His iconic phrase upon launch, "Poyekhali!" (meaning "Let's go!"), is celebrated as a pivotal moment in human space exploration.