Famous Chaika (The Gull Bird), the first woman in space is celebrating her anniversary today. She is 80 years old on March 6, RIA Novosti informs.
Prior to her birthdate Vladimir Putin awarded Valentina with a first-class medal, The Order of Merit for the Motherland for her large personal contribution into development and strengthening of national identity and parliamentarism as well as for her active legislation activities.
Valentina Tereshkova is a deputy of the State Duma; she occupies the position of Deputy Chairman of Committee on the Federal structure and Regional government questions.
After her trip to space, the first female cosmonaut was awarded with Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. She holds many other medals, among them are two Orders of Lenin and Order of the Red Banner of Labor. She also received The Order of Honor and The Order of Friendship. The Order of Alexander Nevsky was handed out to her three years ago.
Her colleagues speak with warmth about her. Retired NASA astronaut Nicole Scott congratulated Chaika with the jubilee. In her view, Tereshkova is still a source of inspiration for women all over the world. Scott also thanked Tereshkova for “help in dreaming and reaching stars to all of us”
Today the first woman who conquered space is praised in other countries as well. It should be mentioned that few days ago Gala evening in her honor was held in Italy.
Tereshkova made her first three-day flight in open space when she launched on the Vostok 6 mission June 16, 1963. in 1963. More than fifty years passed since that time, however Chaika is still the only female cosmonaut who took courage to take the flight without crew by her own.
Russkiy Mir
