To the Moon and Back chapter sampler

To the Moon and Back

T h e F i r s t Ma n i n Sp a c e

Yuri Gagarin. On his way to the launch pad, to be the first man in space. ASIF A. SIDDIQI rin. n is ay t , i . I I I

After three minutes the blast protection shield separated from the spacecraft. Gagarin saw the blue of the sky change slowly into the darkness of space. Space was dark, and weightless, but not silent. The spacecraft was noisy. Gagarin looked out through the porthole, and for the first time a human being saw Earth from space. It was beautiful. The spacecraft circled Earth, passing into night, and then into daylight again, all within an hour. Gagarin slurped down some salty jelly, had a drink of water, then lay on the couch and strapped himself back into his seat for re-entry. It had been one hour and 18 minutes since he had left Earth. After three minutes the blast protection shield separated from the spacecraft. Gagarin saw the blue of the sky change slowly into the darkness of space. Space was dark, and weightless, but not silent. The spacecraft was noisy. Gagarin looked out through the porthole, and for the first time a human being saw Earth from space. It was beautiful. The spacecraft circled Earth, passing into night, and then into daylight again, all within an hour. Gagarin slurped down some salty jelly, had a drink of water, then lay on the couch and strapped himself back into his seat for re-entry. It had been one hour and 18 minutes since he had left Earth.

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