The exploration of space has long been a symbol of technological prowess and national pride. While many nations have now contributed to human spaceflight, only a select few were the earliest to launch astronauts beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Here is a look at the first 10 countries that achieved this remarkable milestone, along with their pioneering astronauts.
1. Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was the first country to send a human into space. On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin made history aboard Vostok 1 by completing a full orbit around the Earth.
This groundbreaking mission marked the beginning of human spaceflight and established the USSR as a formidable leader in the space race. Gagarin became an international hero, and his flight remains one of the most iconic events in the history of space exploration.
2. United States
Following the Soviet Union, the United States became the second country to send a human into space. Alan Shepard flew aboard Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961, just weeks after Gagarin’s flight.
Although Shepard’s mission was suborbital, it demonstrated America's ability to send astronauts into space.
The U.S. would later achieve even greater success by landing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.
3. Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia became the third country to send a citizen into space when Vladimír Remek flew aboard Soyuz 28 on March 2, 1978. His flight was part of the Soviet-led Intercosmos program, which aimed to involve allied nations in space missions.
Remek’s journey was a major moment for both Czechoslovakia and the Eastern Bloc, as he became the first non-Russian and non-American to travel to space.
4. Poland
Polish astronaut Mirosław Hermaszewski was the fourth person from a new country to venture into space. He flew aboard Soyuz 30 on June 27, 1978, also as part of the Intercosmos program.
Hermaszewski spent eight days aboard the Salyut 6 space station, conducting experiments in fields ranging from astronomy to medicine. His flight remains a proud achievement for Poland.
5. East Germany
East Germany (German Democratic Republic) joined the list of spacefaring nations when Sigmund Jähn traveled to space on August 26, 1978, aboard Soyuz 31.
Like his predecessors from other Warsaw Pact nations, Jähn's mission was made possible through Soviet collaboration. His successful journey inspired many in East Germany and was a significant cultural moment during the Cold War.
6. Bulgaria
Bulgaria became the sixth country to send a citizen to space when Georgi Ivanov flew on April 10, 1979, aboard Soyuz 33. Although technical difficulties prevented docking with the space station, the mission was a milestone for Bulgaria.
Later, another Bulgarian, Aleksandr Aleksandrov, would successfully reach the space station Mir in 1988.
7. Hungary
Bertalan Farkas represented Hungary in space when he flew aboard Soyuz 36 on May 26, 1980. As the first Hungarian cosmonaut, Farkas participated in various scientific experiments while aboard the Salyut 6 space station.
His mission lasted nearly eight days and marked a significant achievement for Hungary within the framework of the Intercosmos initiative.
8. Viet Nam
Vietnam made its entry into human spaceflight with Phạm Tuân, who launched on July 23, 1980, aboard Soyuz 37. Tuân was the first Asian in space and the first person from a non-European, non-American background to make the journey.
His mission was symbolically powerful, showcasing solidarity between the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War.
9. Cuba
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez became the first Cuban and the first person of African descent to travel to space on September 18, 1980, aboard Soyuz 38.
His mission was part of the Intercosmos program, and it carried deep symbolic value, highlighting Cuba's scientific contributions and its strong ties with the Soviet Union during that era.
10. Mongolia
Mongolia entered the spacefaring community when Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa flew aboard Soyuz 39 on March 22, 1981. He conducted scientific research aboard the Salyut 6 space station.
Gürragchaa’s mission was not only a scientific achievement but also a significant national event, emphasizing Mongolia’s collaborative efforts with the Soviet space program.
