Patronymic Tereshkova. Tereshkova Valentina - biography, facts from life, photos, background information

Russia was and remains the first in everything. We went into space first. The first space hero was Yuri Gagarin.

However, he was not the only one who was awarded the title of Hero. Soviet Union... In addition to Gagarin, into space in different time about 10 cosmonauts were sent. Among them was Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman astronaut.

Valentina Tereshkova

In this article we will talk about who Valentina Tereshkova really is - what is interesting in her biography and personal life for our contemporaries.

Valentina Tereshkova was born in the Yaroslavl region on March 6, 1937. Its story began in a small village, which is difficult to see on a map of Russia (formerly the USSR). Her parents are from Belarus. None of them even dreamed that their daughter would become the first woman in the USSR to go into space.

Tereshkova's mother worked at a textile enterprise. My father was a tractor driver. Unfortunately, Tereshkova's family managed to live happily for a short time. Valentina's father died in the Soviet-Finnish war. Naturally, this was a great loss for the family.

Valentina Tereshkova in childhood and adolescence

It's not even just that they have lost a loved one. There is one less breadwinner in the family. The mother had to work even more in order to provide her family with everything necessary at least to a minimum.

In 1945 Tereshkova went to school in Yaroslavl. Then no one knew about Valentina Tereshkova. Now this school bears her name. Students know Valentina's biography inside and out. The personal life of the Soviet star is of little interest to schoolchildren. Her cosmic feat is important to them.

Valya was a diligent student. She didn't want to upset her mother, so she got exceptionally high grades. In addition to her studies, Tereshkova played the dombra. Vali had good ear for music... It is possible that if Tereshkova had not become an astronaut, she would have linked her life with music.

After 7 years of study at school, Tereshkova went to work. She wanted to help her family financially, so she got a job at a tire plant in Yaroslavl. Despite the desire to support her family, the young girl did not quit her studies. She went to school in the evening.

Valentina Tereshkova was engaged in parachuting

Just at this time, Valentina was carried away by parachuting. She attended the local flying club. Tereshkova was a fearless girl. Unlike her “colleagues” in the club, jumping was very easy for her.

It was parachuting that became iconic in the biography of Valentina Tereshkova. At that time, a set of women parachutists with certain parameters was announced, one of whom was to fly into space.

Who else but Tereshkova could have gone into space?

Of course, Valentina Tereshkova was not the only contender for the title of the first Soviet female cosmonaut. Besides her, there were 3 more girls. Why did you choose Tereshkova? One of the reasons is her impeccable biography and personal life. The second reason is that she really was the best prepared.

Let's remember who could go with Tereshkova to surf the galaxy. Among them were Valentina Ponomareva, Tatyana Kuznetsova, Irina Solovieva, Zhanna Erkina. Each of them dreamed of becoming the first.

Irina Solovieva, Tatiana Kuznetsova, Zhanna Yorkina, Valentina Ponomareva, Valentina Tereshkova and Sergey Korolev

The final word remained with Khrushchev. It was he who decided which of the girls would become the first astronaut. Perhaps, in addition to the reasons we have listed above, why we chose her, there were some others. However, nothing is known about them. Tereshkova alone knows why she went into space, and not someone else. Moreover, all the female candidates deserved it.

Valentina Tereshkov in her youth

How was the fate of the other girls?

Two of the girls never went into space. However, this did not stop them from organizing their lives in the best way. Ponomareva became an aviation colonel. She defended her dissertation and now works at the Institute of the History of Natural Science and Technology.

Valentina Tereshkova in training

Solovyova, like Ponomareva, is a candidate of sciences. She works at the cosmonaut training center. Solovyova also took part in Antarctic and Arctic expeditions. The famous women's team "Metelitsa" became her home.

Valentina Tereshkova after the flight foreign press nicknamed "Miss Universe". From a girl unknown to anyone, she became a real star cosmic scale. Now the journalists wanted to know everything about her: her biography, something from the personal life of the cosmonaut.

For Valentina, June 16, 1963 was a decisive day. She was in orbit under the call sign "Chaika". Before Tereshkova, only 10 people made a space trip around the earth.

Valentina Tereshkova preparing for a flight into space

For 3 days, while Tereshkova was outside the boundaries of our planet, journalists learned more and more about her. She returned to earth as the most famous girl in the Soviet Union. She was solemnly greeted at the airport. Tereshkova walked the red carpet and was nominated for awards. She became the only woman general in Russia.

The authorities in every possible way supported the myth that a man from outer space seemed to return from a resort. Naturally, being in aircraft at that time, it was difficult to talk about any comfort. However, Soviet citizens had to believe that flight for cosmonauts was taken for granted.

Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova

Interesting facts from Tereshkova's flight

How do you imagine the aircraft of that time? It is now astronauts who use laptops, read newspapers and have fun in flight. In the 60s, at least minimal comfort could only be dreamed of.

The cosmonaut must lie down all the time in flight. He could not walk or move anywhere. Agree, lying for 3 days in one position is not an easy task. Moreover, for some it is simply not feasible. Only not for Tereshkova and other male cosmonauts who had already flown into space before her.

Valentina Tereshkova in space

It is known that Yuri Gagarin, returning from his first flight, could not recover for several days in a row. The man forgot his name, date and the name of the constructor aircraft... Gagarin is one of those people who have always been cheerful and energetic. However, after returning from space, Yuri was in melancholy for several days in a row. If even a strong man in body and spirit behaves this way after the flight, then what could be said about a woman, albeit not as fragile as others.

Now that Valentina Tereshkova's fame has subsided a little and only a few are still interested in her biography and personal life, she is ready to tell how the flight actually took place.

Initially, they wanted to send the girl into space in a new lieutenant's uniform. Later Tereshkova was sent to change clothes. The authorities decided that there was no need for a "militaristic note" here.

The start of the flight was surprisingly successful. But what happened next, only Tereshkova and the launch leaders knew. It turns out that an inaccuracy was made in the automatic program of the aircraft.

Valentina Tereshkova and Yuri Gagarin

It cannot be called insignificant. The mistake was so serious that the girl could simply not return to earth. The flight ship was oriented so that instead of descending, it raised its orbit. It turns out that Tereshkova did not approach the Earth, but moved away from it.

Naturally, Tereshkova immediately reported this problem to Korolev. The day after the flight, the system was fixed. Gradually the ship adjusted itself to the correct course.

Nobody knew about this mistake for several decades. Valentina Tereshkova decided to tell about it only when such information began to get into the press without her knowledge.

Personal life of Tereshkova

Some time ago, information was circulating on the Internet that Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was unhappy in her personal life. As if her biography was changed by Khrushchev, who married her to Vali's first husband, Andriyan Nikolaev. In fact, this is all fiction.

Valentina Tereshkova with her first husband Andriyan Nikolaev

Tereshkova's first husband began caring for her even before the flight. Andriyan was 10 years older than Valentina. It is possible that this is one of the reasons why they broke up. The lovers got married 5 months after Tereshkova's flight.

Some of Valentina's acquaintances believed that their marriage would really only be good for politics or science. After all, the lovers were completely different. Valentine is fire. Andrian is water. Both Tereshkova and Nikolaev were strong-willed people. To yield to another is an incomprehensible task for them. This was noticed by many.

The marriage of Tereshkova and Nikolaev lasted 19 years. A year after the wedding, their daughter was born.

Valentina was constantly on the road around the country. Her husband at this time was preparing for a new flight (Nikolaev was also an astronaut).

Tereshkova has repeatedly admitted in a circle of loved ones that her first husband is a real despot. It is possible that last years together they were together only for the sake of their daughter. The couple broke up when she turned 18.

Valentina Tereshkova with her husband and daughter

Tereshkova and Nikolaev stopped appearing together in 1979. At that time, a divorce meant that the career of astronauts would have to end. This is especially true of Nikolaev. Moreover, some cosmonauts were indeed suspended from work due to divorces. This could also have a detrimental effect on Valentine. At that time she was the chairman of the Committee of Soviet Women.

According to some reports, Brezhnev played one of the main roles in the biography of Valentina Tereshkova. It was he who resolved the divorce issue. It was lucky that Vali had only one daughter of her children. Plus, at the time of the divorce, she was already an adult.

Tereshkova's second husband

The second marriage for Tereshkova was happier. They met in 1978. Tereshkova hoped to fly into space again. To do this, she passed a medical examination. Her second husband, Yuli Shaposhnikov, was one of the members of the medical commission who passed the verdict to the astronauts.

Valentina Tereshkova and Yuliy Shaposhnikov

Relatives and friends of Tereshkova say that according to Valentina and Yulia it was immediately obvious that they were in love with each other. The couple did not have children. But this did not prevent them from being happy. Look at the photo. Here Valentina is pictured with her second husband.

Valentina Tereshkova: photo

Tereshkova lived with her second husband for 20 years. It is possible that they would have been together to this day. However, in 1999, Julius died.

What is Tereshkova doing now?

Having learned about the biography of Valentina Tereshkova, her personal life and children, readers will be interested to know what the former astronaut is doing now.

Valentina Tereshkova now

This year, Valentina celebrated her 80th birthday. At the moment she is a member of the State Duma. Tereshkova is trying to do everything and even a little more for her native region - the Yaroslavl region.

Tereshkova Valentina Vladimirovna is the first woman in the world to conquer space. In 1937, a girl named Valentina was born in the village of the Yaroslavl Region. At the age of 2, she lost her father, who died in the war with the Finns. Valentina, her older sister, younger brother and mother remained in the family.

From childhood, the girl was fearless and very active. But during the war, it was not easy for everyone, especially a mother with three children. In 1953, the girl left school after 7 years of study to go to work at a tire manufacturing plant. At the same time, she returned to school for an evening form of study, combining with work. And then she moved to a factory for the production of technical fabrics. Later, the girl joined the Komsomol, was educated as a technologist, played in the orchestra and was engaged in parachute jumping. In those days, all young people were interested in flying, and this trend did not bypass Tereshkova.

After the first successful launch of man into space, the idea arose to send a woman astronaut. Valentina Tereshkova was chosen due to her merits in parachuting, small height and weight. In 1962, she began training. Valentina has gone through many tests. She was prepared for all non-standard and everyday situations. But Tereshkova was not embarrassed by this, since Gagarin's flight made her believe in herself.

She made her first flight on the Vostok-6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963, and it lasted three days. Tereshkova did not dare to admit to her mother that she was going into space, but lied that she went to a parachute jumping competition. And the family found out about it in the news on the radio. Preparation, launch and the flight itself went through all the instructions without any problems. Valentina's call sign was "The Seagull", which is very symbolic. But on the flight she was a little unwell. Heavy physical, emotional stress and hunger made themselves felt. Valentina still lasted 48 full revolutions around the Earth. The ship landed in the Altai Territory.

After the flight, Tereshkova entered the academy, became a candidate of sciences, wrote many scientific papers, articles, and even prepared to go to Mars. But she began to devote more time to society and politics.

Valentina Tereshkova became a heroine of the 20th century and set an example for many girls. Now she continues her activities as a deputy of the State Duma.

Option 2

The development of space in the Soviet Union proceeded rapidly: the launch of the first artificial satellite, the first manned flight into space, the first woman cosmonaut ... Among the hundred million Soviet applicants, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was the first to be in space. She is an amazing woman of mind, with a difficult childhood and an incredible desire to learn and benefit her homeland, did not leave anyone indifferent.

Already in childhood, Valentina was a purposeful child. She combined her studies with the work of a bras pilot at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant. This choice was explained by the desire to study and help the mother, who alone raised Valya and her two sisters. The girls' father went missing while participating in the Soviet-Finnish war. After her studies, she was expected to work at the Krasny Perekop textile mill (1960), where she was the leader of the Komsomol. Despite this, she found time for parachuting, without which she soon could not imagine her life. From that moment, her journey to conquer space begins.

The idea of \u200b\u200blaunching a spaceship with a woman on board was associated with the space race of those years. Five female cosmonauts were chosen throughout the country: Valentina Tereshkova, Irina Solovyova, Valentina Ponomareva, Tatiana Kuznetsova, Zhanna Yorkina. They were immediately dubbed the "women's battalion". Supervised this project amazing people, real professionals in their field. Here are just a few of them: Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, Yurin Gagarin, German Titov, Andreyan Nikolaev. In all respects, Ponomareva was supposed to fly. But after a conversation with Sergei Pavlovich, the flight preparation commission decided to elect Valentina Tereshkova as the captain of the Vostok 6 ship. Failure of the flight did not take place. To ensure the success of the launch, the right decision was made, first to launch a similar spacecraft Vostok-5, and then, upon a successful flight, and Vostok-6. The launch took place on June 16, 1963 and was successful, having completed 48 revolutions around the Earth, landed successfully. Valentina Tereshkova's work received the highest marks. The flight into space of the first woman cosmonaut caused an incredible national upsurge, the whole world applauded the Soviet Union. After the flight, Valentina Vladimirovna did not feel well and did not have more flights.

Half a century has passed, invariably only one Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to visit space. Having become a legend during her lifetime, she leads an active political life, trying to pay attention to everyone who turns to her. Despite her age, she is full of energy to this day to benefit her homeland.

Celebrity Biography - Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in the whole world to conquer space. In 1963, on June 16, Valentina flew into outer space. For everything the former USSR, and for the whole world it was a sensation. Many years later, they talked about the woman who conquered space all over the world.

Childhood

Future fame was born in the Yaroslavl region in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo on March 6, 1937. A poor family in the village, who would have thought that it was there that a future celebrity would be born? Nobody at all, but it had to happen. Vali's mother worked on a collective farm, her father died in the Soviet-Finnish war, before the war he worked as a tractor driver. Having survived the war in the village, in 1945 the family moved to the city of Yaroslavl. Mom had to feed three children, and she gets a job at a plant for the production of technical fabrics. Valya was the second child in the family, besides her there were also a younger brother Volodya and an older sister Lyudmila.

Having moved to the city, the girl went to school number 32, which now bears her name. Valentina had a good ear for music, so during her school years she studied music, learning to play the domra.

The path to glory

After finishing seven classes, the girl decided to go to work to help the family. She went to work at a tire plant in Yaroslavl, as a bracelet in the assembly shop. The work was not easy, especially considering the age of the girl. Simultaneously with work, she combined her studies at night school. In 1955, she took a job as a weaver at a local mill, where her mother and sister had worked for many years.

In 1959, she began to practice parachuting at the local flying club. She has 90 jumps on her account. The girl spends sports in her free time from work and study. In 1955 he entered the correspondence department at the technical school of light industry. After 2 years, she entered the Komsomol, and after 3 years she received the position of the released secretary of the Komsomol committee, in this position Valentina worked for 2 years.

Almost at the same time in 1962, the famous designer Sergei Korolev voiced the idea of \u200b\u200bsending a woman into space for the first time. At the highest level of the leadership of the Communist Party of those years, the idea found a response and received approval. The only thing left is to find a suitable candidate. So, the search began, it was quite difficult, because the strictest requirements were imposed on candidates for the conquest of space. Here is some of them. A woman must be in parachuting. Height should not exceed 170 cm, and weight 70 kilograms.

Initially, 5 girls were selected from a huge number, Valentina Tereshkova was one of them. They were given the task of going through an exhausting training session, which took place every day. Already during this training it became clear that there was only one candidate left - Valentina Tereshkova. It is she who has to conquer space. This event of global significance took place in 1963.

Met Valentina Vladimirovna as a national hero

In the photo: Y. Gagarin, P. Popovich, V. Tereshkova and N. Khrushchev

Personal life

In 1963 she married the famous cosmonaut Andriyan Nikolaev. It was the first couple in the world to conquer space. An amazing and unusual wedding took place on the Lenin Hills in the government mansion. Khrushchev himself attended the stellar wedding. All the years spent in marriage, Valentina bore the double surname of Nikolaev-Tereshkova. After 19 years, the marriage broke up and was officially terminated after their daughter Elena celebrated her majority. According to the memoirs of Valentina Tereshkova, Andriyan was a wonderful person, everywhere except at home. At home, his character bore a despotic bias.

The wedding of pilots-cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova and Andriyan Nikolaev

Yuliy Shaposhnikov became Valentina's second husband, famous person in medical circles, he worked as director of the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics.

Daughter Elena followed in the footsteps of her stepfather and also became an orthopedic surgeon, since 2013 she has been working in this position at CITO. She was married twice and has two sons.
For the conquest of space Tereshkova was awarded separate apartment in Yaroslavl, where she lived with her mother, aunt and her daughter.

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova inscribed her name in the history of cosmonautics in golden letters. Indeed, a man's flight into outer space is by no means an ordinary event that can impress the whole world. Especially if this astronaut is a fragile woman, such a step in the eyes of the public looks akin to a feat!

Childhood and parents

The future world celebrity was born in the village of Maslennikovo, Tutaevsky district, Yaroslavl region on March 6, 1937. Her family was completely absorbed in working in the field agriculture... Vali's father, Vladimir Aksenovich Tereshkov, realized himself in the difficult work of a tractor driver. My mother worked on a collective farm, in a textile factory.

In young age

Tereshkova's childhood was quite difficult, since it fell on the war years, when misfortune, devastation and despair reigned around. And given that in 1939 her father died at the front during the Soviet-Finnish military conflict, the future celebrity really experienced a very difficult period of her life.

Little Valyusha first went to school in 1945, just after the victorious completion of the Great Patriotic War... But taking into account the rather difficult financial situation in her family, she was forced in 1955, immediately after finishing the seventh grade, to leave her studies and get a job at a tire manufacturing plant located in the city of Yaroslavl.

However, the girl still finished high school, having entered the evening department, the general program of which at that time was comprehended by the majority of Soviet people.

Career

It has already happened, perhaps even by the will of fate, that at the age of 17 Tereshkova signed up and went hunting to the Yaroslavl flying club. The parachute jumping, which was often practiced there, pleased her. In total, Valentina Vladimirovna performed 163 jumps from an airplane, which is a very solid indicator, especially for a woman. Tereshkova even received a sports category for her successes in parachuting.

Parachuting managed to attract the attention of Valentina Vladimirovna so much that she could no longer stop practicing it. And it is thanks to this hobby that her difficult and rather thorny path to the cosmonaut team began.

After successfully graduating from the evening school, Valentina enters the correspondence department of the technical school of light industry. Here the learning process lasted 5 years, from 1955 to 1960.
Having entered the Krasny Perekop enterprise in 1960, Tereshkova immediately became the secretary of the Komsomol organization. She was able to successfully work in this position for two years.

Back in 1962, the famous designer of rocket and space technology, Sergei Korolev, first voiced the idea of \u200b\u200bsending a woman to conquer space. This idea was approved at the level of the top leadership of the then ruling Communist Party.

After that, a thorough search for the most suitable candidate for translating this bold idea into reality began.

However, the process of selecting a female astronaut was not easy. All the participants were presented with basic requirements: the candidate had to go in for parachuting without fail, her height should be up to 170 centimeters, and her weight should not exceed 70 kilograms.

Initially, 5 girls were selected among the main candidates for astronauts, among whom was Tereshkova. All the girls began daily exhausting workouts, during which it became clear that it was Valentina Tereshkova who was the most suitable candidate for a flight into space.

And then came June 16, 1963 - a significant day for Tereshkova. It was then that she, aboard the Vostok-6 spacecraft, launched towards the unknown and mysterious space distances. The flight took more than two days and all this time Valentina was in a state of weightlessness, having made 48 orbits around the planet Earth!

At the end of the program, the Vostok-6 spacecraft landed in the Baevsky District of the Altai Territory. For such a high achievement in the field of cosmonautics, as well as for the staunchness and perseverance shown to the whole world in achieving the set goal, Tereshkova received the honorary title of "Hero of the Soviet Union". In addition, the first woman-cosmonaut in history was awarded the Order of Lenin, as well as the Gold Star medal.

Until the last moment, Valentina Vladimirovna's relatives could not imagine that she would be able to conquer space! They could hear news about the grandiose flight of Tereshkova, which excited the entire public, only on the radio!

The astronaut tried to hide her true intentions from them, saying that she was going to a parachute jumping competition. As the astronaut herself later admitted, the motive for such her actions was dictated by the fact that she was afraid of the experiences of her relatives, and therefore tried to protect them from these emotions.

In the history of World Cosmonautics, Tereshkova's flight was the only case when a woman alone was able to carry out such an extraordinary act!

After her famous flight, Tereshkova works as an instructor in the field of cosmonautics, is a tester spaceships... In 1964 she entered the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy, in 1969 she graduated with honors, which included the profession of "pilot-cosmonaut-engineer."

During her studies, Valentina Vladimirovna was able to write more than 50 scientific papers on specialization.

However, since 1966, Tereshkova has been actively involved in social work. Thanks to her, the cosmonaut was able to receive a huge number of various awards, she was awarded many recognitions both in the Soviet Union and far beyond its borders.

In the period from 1968 to 1987, Valentina Vladimirovna worked in the high position of the chairman of the Committee of Soviet Women. After that, Tereshkova holds the post of head of the Presidium of the Union of the Soviet Society for Friendship and Culture of Communication with foreign countries, where she worked until 1992.

Since 1992, Tereshkova is the main presidium of the Russian Association international cooperation, and already in 1995 - Valentina Vladimirovna becomes the chairman of the Interdepartmental Council for the coordination of activities russian centers science.

But since 1997, Tereshkova has been working at the Cosmonaut Training Center, where she holds the post of senior researcher.

Since 2008 Tereshkova has been a member of the parliament State Duma Russia.

Personal life and children of Valentina Tereshkova

Living an ordinary earthly life, Tereshkova in 1963 married Andriyan Grigorievich Nikolaev, at that time also a famous cosmonaut. Soon, in 1964, they have a daughter, Elena. However, 1974 became separate for Valentina Vladimirovna and Nikolaev, the family broke up, the couple divorced. She has already remarried Yulia Shaposhnikov, who died in 1999.\u003e

With Andrian Nikolaev and daughter Alena. 1967 year

Valentina Tereshkova became the first and this moment the last woman, honored to go into space without a partner. Taking full responsibility for space flight, she later received the rank of major general. In Russia, this is the only case when a representative of the weaker sex receives such a status. It was in this title that the woman ended her career by retiring. At that time, Valentina was 60 years old. Leaving a legendary example to follow, she is an important figure not only in the minds and hearts of the citizens of the Soviet Union, but also in world history. You will learn the biography of Valentina Tereshkova (briefly) from the article.

Early years, family

Tereshkova was born in the Yaroslavl region. The family of the future heroine of cosmonautics lived in Bolshoy Maslennikovo. Valentina's ancestors are peasants of Belarusian origin. Parents are ordinary representatives of the middle class: the mother worked in a textile factory, and the father worked as a tractor driver. Valentina's family lost their breadwinner early, who was called up to serve during the Soviet-Finnish war. As part of the military battles, the man died tragically.

Youth

The future conqueror of outer space enjoyed her studies. In addition to her success at school, the girl developed an ear for music, honing her skills in playing the dombra. Having received a basic education after 7 years of schooling, Tereshkova decided to help her mother, who is trying her best to provide for her family and create decent conditions for the normal development of her daughter. Having made a decision, Valentina went to the Yaroslavl Tire Plant, where she received the position of a bracelet. The girl did not want to quit her studies, so after a work shift she hurried to evening school, where she continued to receive her education.

Towards a brilliant career as an astronaut

The future cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova entered the correspondence department at the technical school, where she studied light industry. Studying was easy for the girl, but it did not bring much pleasure. Difficult life circumstances did not allow Tereshkova to enjoy a simple student life. For several years, Valentina worked at the Red Perekop, a combine located close to the girl's technical school. There she worked as a weaver, which Tereshkova could not call a dream profession.

In search of a hobby that could distract her from the boredom of the gray poor, the future astronaut discovered parachuting. Within the city limits, Valentina found an aeroclub, in which she began to appear regularly, amazing everyone with her fearlessness and readiness to conquer new heights. The new hobby played an important role in the fate of Valentina.

Meeting with Korolyov

As the biography shows, Valentina Tereshkova quickly achieved good results in parachuting and was not going to stop there. Thanks to a fortunate coincidence at this time, Sergei Korolev, a well-known Soviet scientist, proposed a new project to the above-appointed superiors, the main goal of which was a woman's space travel. The scientist's idea was approved, and in the early 60s the selection of applicants for the title of "woman-cosmonaut" started. There were many who wanted to get the proud title, but the criteria for the ladies were strict: no more than 1.70 centimeters in height, no older than 30 years old, the maximum weight was 70 kilograms.

Among hundreds of candidates, Valentina Vladimirovna was selected almost immediately. Her main rivals were Zhanna Erekina, Irina Solovyova, Valentina Ponomareva and Tatyana Kuznetsova.

After meeting Korolev, Tereshkova firmly decided to win the fight for the opportunity to fly into space. But the path to this goal was not easy.

Military service

The main contenders for the title of cosmonaut were drafted into service, where, in the status of privates, they began to actively prepare for future exams. Valentina had to start training as part of the cosmonaut training program as a student of the second detachment. She quickly improved her position, demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop in the chosen direction during the examination period. This allowed her to move to the first squad.

During the training, the selected applicants tried to increase the body's resistance to flight conditions in outer space. The important components of training were the lessons of moving in a zero gravity environment, testing the physical capabilities of the body in a heat chamber, performing trainings with parachutes, teaching the rules of using a spacesuit. An important role was also played by a test in a chamber isolated from outside noise (isolation chamber), where all applicants for the title of "cosmonaut" were kept for 10 days. This test gave women an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat it was like to be in space all alone, which is difficult for a person, as a social being, to get used to.

Successful completion of tests

After passing all the exams, Korolyov had to make a difficult choice, relying not only on the exam results, physical and mental readiness to fly into space, but also on factors such as:

1. Origin.
2. Ability to be an active public figure, glorifying the party of the communist movement.

According to the results of exams and medical examinations, all women had an equal chance of becoming the selection winner. In terms of origin, Tereshkova had a clear advantage. It was profitable for the project leaders to send a woman into space who represents the working class. The fact that Valentna's father is a war hero also helped.

But the decisive factor was Tereshkova's ability to perform in front of the public. She was not embarrassed by the journalists and their questions. The woman knew how to find the right answers and could remember in time about the party and the greatness of communism. This allowed Valentina to receive the title of the main candidate for space travel. The reserve contenders were Ponamareva and Solovyova.

Spacewalk

Valentina Tereshkova's flight took place in early summer in 1963. One of the days, which later became significant, she started from Baikonur - it was June 16. For a three-day voyage, she was provided with the Vostok 6 ship. The takeoff made by Tereshkova, and the way she presented the launch reports, allows specialists to consider the activities of Valentina Vladimirovna along with the work done by the most experienced and successful cosmonauts - representatives of the stronger sex.

After the successful launch of the ship, no one expected Valentina to experience some difficulties during the flight. The main problem the woman felt unwell. Despite the fact that she moved little, Tereshkova kept in touch with the ground station regularly, in accordance with all regulations. Poor health did not become a reason for Valentina to return home to Earth earlier than planned. Having completed 48 revolutions around the planet, she diligently filled out the logbook and began the landing operation.

The landing did not go according to plan due to a malfunction of the ship's equipment. Problems with the wires placed in the control system prevented Valentina from manually coordinating the ship. But the woman still managed to plant him, albeit in automatic mode.

Criticism Queen

"Vostok 6" sank to the ground in the Altai Territory, where Valentina Vladimirovna was greeted by local residents who were in a hurry to feed the hero, offering the best of the familiar, traditional food. In return, Tereshkova gave her own food, which she was supplied with before the flight. This behavior was not approved by Sergei Korolev, who also reacted ambiguously to Tereshkova's health problems and her decision to orient the ship towards landing in automatic mode. The man was extremely dissatisfied with the completed mission of the heroine and promised himself never to be involved in projects with the participation of female astronauts.

Post-flight career

Valentina Tereshkova went into space only once. After a successful space trip, she began working in the cosmonaut training department, where she worked as an instructor and participated in a number of projects as a research assistant. Tereshkova found her calling and decided to actively develop in this direction, so she entered the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy, after which she received the title of professor. This allowed the woman to write several significant works for science. The heroine of astronautics has repeatedly spoken about her readiness to go to Mars, even if the trip is planned one way.

After a sensational flight, the woman became interested in politics. For a long time, Valentina Tereshkova, whose photo you can see in the article, was a member of the Communist Party and an important public figure. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the woman began to represent “ United Russia”, And after retiring she was elected a deputy of the regional duma in her native region.

In 2014, a woman was honored to lead a charitable foundation. This allowed her to open several large educational institutions on the territory of Yaroslavl. In the same year, Valentina Tereshkova became the guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which took place in Sochi.

Personal life

The year 1963 became important for Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, not only because space flight... In 1963, Valentina married her colleague Adriyan Nikolaev. Nikita Khrushchev himself was present at the wedding of lovers. In this marriage, the woman gave birth to a girl who received the name Elena. When the daughter came of age, the couple decided to divorce. Later, the first female astronaut admitted that Adrian was often oppressive towards her, which was especially noticeable when the couple got out into the people.

Valentina's second choice is Yuliy Shaposhnik, a man who has achieved great heights in the military medical service. Major General, an important and influential man quickly found mutual language with her daughter Tereshkova. The couple have no common children, but this did not bother the lovers. Soon, both began to enjoy the role of grandparents. Elena, the only heiress of the great woman astronaut, was married twice, both times to the pilots.

Valentina Tereshkova now

In 2017, the legendary woman celebrated her 80th birthday. An active political and public figure, retired major general, intelligent and inspiring, she pays a lot of attention to her family, tries to spend more time with her grandchildren, but at the same time does not refuse to develop in a professional field. Since 2016 Valentina Vladimirovna has been a State Duma deputy. Having got the opportunity to do something good for her native region, the woman-cosmonaut started improving infrastructure, beautifying the city, building industrial and educational organizations.

The retirement age does not prevent Tereshkova from leading an active lifestyle. In 2004, on the advice of doctors, the woman decided to have an operation. Surgical intervention allowed Tereshkova to avoid a heart attack. Since that time, Valentin Vladimirovna has not complained of well-being, but looking at her success in political career, we can safely conclude that the legendary astronaut's health is all right.