Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to travel in space. He completed an orbit of the earth in the “Vostock” spaceship satellite. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 12th April 1961

Major Yuri Gagarin seen coming down a ladder from a spacecraft after his successful space flight, the world's first. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 14th April 1961

27-year old Soviet cosmonaut Major Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (1934–1968) on his way to his spaceship Vostok, in which he made the first ever manned space flight. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 12th April 1961

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin wearing his helmet for the first ever manned flight in space. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1961

Soviet TV announcer Kirillov reported the first human flight into space. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). 1961

Four smaller planes escorting the Il-18 which is bringing cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to Moscow. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin striding red carpet laid for him at airport, where Soviet dignitaries wait to honor him for his space flight around the world in Vostok 1. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

Russian Premier NIkita S. Khrushchev at celebration in honor of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to Moscow. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

Russian Premier NIkita S. Khrushchev (Center R) with cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (C) during his celebration at Lenin's tomb in Moscow. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

Crowds with posters of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

People cheer on the Red Square in Moscow. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

People are rejoicing in the Tverskaya Street in Moscow. (Photo by James Whitmore/Life). April 1961

Soviet cosmonaut and the first man to travel in space, Yury Alekseyvich Gagarin (1934–1968) arriving in London for a Russian trade fair. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Getty Images)

Number plate YG1 and radiator of the Rolls Royce which took Major Yuri Gagarin from London airport (Heathrow) to the Soviet Embassy in London. (Photo by Disney/Getty Images). 1961

Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin, who became the world's first man in space, acknowledges the crowd on his arrival in Britain, as he leaves London Airport in a Rolls Royce. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images). 11th July 1961

Yuri Gagarin First In London. (Photo by Hank Walker/Life). April 1961

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (centre), the first man to travel in space, arrives at London Airport, bound for the Soviet Exhibition at Earl's Court, London. He is wearing the uniform of a Russian major. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 11th July 1961

Yuri Gagarin In London. (Photo by Hank Walker/Life). April 1961

Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, waves to crowds during a visit to London. (Photo by Richard Chowen/Evening Standard/Getty Images). 13th July 1961

Russian cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin (1934–1968) (centre, left), and British Prime Minister Sir Harold Macmillan (1894–1986), 1st Earl of Stockton, on the steps of Admiralty House in London. Gagarin became the first man to travel in space in 1961. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 14th July 1961

The world's first cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union receives a bouquet of flowers from a little girl on arrival at the Soviet Embassy in London. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 11th July 1961

Major Yuri Gagarin showing off a medal awarded to him by the British Interplanetary Society at a London press conference. The Russian cosmonaut, became the first man to travel in space in 1961. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 11th July 1961

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin holding a bouquet of flowers. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images). 28th March 1968

The first man to travel in space, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 11th July 1961

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (L) visiting with Prime Minister Harold MacMillan (R). (Photo by Hank Walker/Life). London, United Kingdom, 1961

Russian Air Force Major Yuri Gagarin (R), with President Fidel Castro (L) for 26th July anniversary celebration. (Photo by Joseph Scherschel/Life). Havana, Cuba, July 1961

Russian model Mila Romanovkeaja modelling a nylon one-piece suit with a fur cape at the Russian Trade & Industrial Exhibition at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, London. In the background is a replica of Vostok I. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 5th August 1968

A young Russian boy dressed as an astronaut won first prize in a fancy dress party held in Moscow. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 13th January 1969