Earth from the International Space Station

© Jeff Williams/NAS

Info. Earth from the International Space Station

Sixty years ago, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to get a view of Earth from space, like this one taken from the International Space Station by NASA astronaut Jeff Williams. With the famous phrase 'Poyekhali!' ('Off we go!'), Gagarin launched into low Earth orbit in his Vostok 3KA spacecraft, making history in less than two hours with a complete trip around the planet. He landed in Russia and became a celebrity around the world after achieving a major milestone in the Space Race. He was also awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, his nation's highest honour.