The first manned space mission, known as Vostok 1, took place on April 12, 1961, when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited Earth. This historic flight made Gagarin the first human to journey into outer space, traveling a complete orbit around the planet. Vostok 1 lasted about 108 minutes, during which Gagarin experienced weightlessness and contributed invaluable data about human spaceflight. The success of Vostok 1 marked a significant achievement in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Gagarin's flight not only elevated the Soviet space program's prestige but also inspired generations in the fields of science, engineering, and space exploration worldwide.