First man travelled in space 50 years ago
Date of issue: 2011. április 12.
Space research is the branch of science dealing with research
outside the earth’s atmosphere using instruments in space. In a broader
sense space science is also the science of exploring the use of space.
The space age began in 1957 when the earth’s first artificial satellite
Sputnik 1 was launched. Since then many satellites, probes, spaceships,
space stations and other space instruments have been put into space. The
other two major events in space research were the first manned space
flight (Vostok 1 in 1961) and the moon landing (Apollo 11 in 1969).
Space activity is shared between manned and unmanned spacecraft.
Unmanned space devices are used for exploration and programmed
operations, while manned spaceships and stations perform more complex
missions.
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (Klushino, 9 March 1934 –
27 March 1968) trained as a foundry worker, and then studied at the
Technical College in Saratov. During the years he spent there he joined
the Aero Club and obtained a pilot’s licence for light aircraft in
1955. In the same year he was accepted for military training at the
pilot’s school in Orenburg, and gained his pilot’s wings in a MiG-15 in
1957. He was then posted to the Luostar air base. In 1960 he was one of
twenty pilots to be chosen for the Soviet space programme. After the
tough training, Gagarin and Gherman Titov were selected for space flight
because of their excellent performance and small physical build. On 12
April 1961 Gagarin became the first man to travel into space on board
Vostok 1. The entire flight lasted 108 minutes and orbited the earth
once. During the flight he was promoted from lieutenant to major. On his
return to earth he was welcomed by Nikita Khrushchev. In 1962 he served
as a deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. Later he
returned to Star City, where he worked on designs for reusable
spacecraft. In 1967 he began flying fighters again. He, together with
his trainer, died on 27 March 1968 during a routine test flight in his
MiG-15. (Source: hu.wikipedia.org)A graphic composition
recalling the atmosphere of a contemporary newspaper carrying the news
of the space flight is used to mark the fiftieth anniversary on the
numbered commemorative block. In the stamp design and the surrounding
frame there are articles relating events fifty years ago, written by the
physicist and astronomer Dr Előd Both, head of the Hungarian Space
Agency. On the block’s stamp a picture of Vostok 1 and the article
entitled ‘The first man in space’ can be seen. In the border there is a
portrait of Yuri Gagarin next to one of the newspaper articles.
The
elements of the graphic design on the first day cover include a
structural diagram of Vostok 1, the number referring to the anniversary,
the earth and Gagarin’s signature. The design of the commemorative
postmark employs an inscription capturing the anniversary.
SOOrder code: 2011100030011 (stamp block) 2011100060012 (FDC)
Date of issue: 12 April 2011
Face value: HUF 600
Number of copies issued: 100,000
Perforated size of the stamp: 30 x 40 mm
Imperforated size of the block: 90 x 65 mm
Printing method: offset
Printed by Pénzjegynyomda
Designed by Péter Berky