"The space is calling everyone! And call. How vechnyy Zov" (Yuri Gagarin)

12 April 1961 booster "R‑7", created at the factory "Progress" in Kuibyshev (now Samara), launched cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into orbit. From that moment began the era of the conquest of space by man.

Besides Gagarin, was still contenders for the first flight into space, was twenty. They weren't the best pilots in the country, candidates were selected, the king himself, was important height, weight and health.

Pioneer Yuri Gagarin.

In 1959, in the scientific Institute of aviation medicine unit was established for the selection and training of astronauts. It was headed by the beautiful flight surgeon and a great athlete — N.N. Gurovsky.

Time will pass, and Yuri Gagarin will remember those who were destined to enter the cosmonaut corps: "the Glorious got us guys... There's one thing that unites everyone is the desire to become a real pilot, astronaut. Calling all space! And call. As eternal call".

Astronauts were selected by the medical Commission of the most authoritative experts, who were the most contemporary clinical, physiological, electrophysiological and biochemical apparatus and methods. It was an incredibly difficult thing for doctors and patients, the first step to fly, helps to identify opportunities and physiological reserves of the body and physiological characteristics of a person.

Gagarin was a good eye, heart and lungs. Head of surgical office N.With. Ivlev carefully examined x-rays of the spine. Soon the first meeting was held with the chief surgeon of the Soviet army A. A. Vishnevsky, who allowed Yuri Alexeevich to begin special training. Good proved to Gagarin during vestibular samples on a rotating chair and special swing from an experienced flight surgeon I. Bryanova.

Capacity of the organism Gagarin was amazing. All load functional tests had good results, indicating the plasticity of the adaptive mechanisms to a variety of effects (vibration, overload, hypoxia).

An important stage in the preparation of the psychological examination. It had to go in a research aviation hospital under the supervision of experienced psychologists recognized by the F. D. Gorbov and K. K. Yoshi-Leonie. At the first meeting with psychologists Gagarin already knew that I have to work tables, equipment, psychological tests, answer a lot of questions, to test the memory, ingenuity, quickness of intellectual and emotional reactions, ingenuity, resourcefulness.

Gagarin worked and answered questions accurately and flawlessly. External interference does not affect the quality of his answers. Highlighting the special ability of Gagarin to evaluate the available time and to plan their actions, the ability without hesitation to make decisions with a lack of information and time. It was found that in stressful situations and unusual conditions he's cool, resourceful, quickly assesses the situation, skillfully responds to sudden changes in conditions of the experiment.

Gagarin had to go through even a difficult head-down bed rest trial. Him again tightly strapped to the table with straps. Within 10 minutes he calmly remained in a horizontal position. The technician recorded physiological parameters. Then a table together with Gagarin turned to a vertical position and 20 minutes were recorded electrocardiogram, pressure, currents of the brain.

The following position — upside down (tilt 60°). The survey followed the examination. Looking for not only a hidden pathology or lower the body's resistance to conditions of space flight, but found out, so to speak, the work of the earthly man with the cosmos.

Experienced Gagarin on a shaker, raised in the chamber, spun in a centrifuge, checked the memory and ability to focus. At any stage of any test pilot had the right to refuse further research and to leave the hospital (such cases were). But Gagarin was not going to retreat.

Yuri featured the amazing powers of observation and a wonderful memory. All of the staff he knew by name and patronymic, he was a great psychologist. Everybody knew how to help and support everyone. The time has come when Gagarin and Bykovsky were to be tested in the chamber on the tolerance to hypoxia. On the eve of trial Yuri walked through the damp, dark alleys. Admired autumn, spicy-smelling carpet purple-red leaves. I wanted to turn away, to "disown" from the upcoming tomorrow...

The morning after charging and measuring blood pressure Gagarin and Bykovskiy appeared before the chief of berrabiarazi G. P. Michael. "Height" 5 thousand meters, breathing atmospheric air, they had to sit for 30 minutes. The speed of ascent and descent was about 15 m/s. the Test is complete. The doctors: "the Tolerance to hypoxia good."

The next stage — the stay at the "height" of 6 thousand meters, then the "height" of 14 thousand meters, but it has oxygen for 20 minutes at a speed of ascent and descent of 20-45 m/s. each time in the history of the disease Gagarin appeared optimistic note: "Fit". The test went according to plan. Began preparing for the examinations in the centrifuge. And now meets their laboratory acceleration — a small one-story wooden building placed in the Park.

In the center of a circular hall with an area of about 70 m2 was the centrifuge. She has two shoulder with a radius of 3.6 m Near the remote control, sophisticated medical equipment, doctor's Desk. Gagarin carefully considering the insidious camera, sits in a chair. It is well known that the centrifuge has shattered the dreams of many of his colleagues.

Early in the morning he had already clearly reported to the doctor A. R. Kotovskaya and P. M. Suvorov: "Lieutenant Gagarin to the test ready!" Suvorov asks for more time to study carefully the user manual. The technician Valentina Denisova attached electrodes for recording an ECG, sensors for detection of blood pressure and registration of hemodynamic parameters. Gagarin weighed to its weight (68 kg) on the opposite end of the centrifuge balance (sand bags).

Yuri already in the chair, locked, ready to spin trains at speed the quenching of the light signals. To do this, Suvorov lights the green lights on the scoreboard, located in front of the eyes of a participant, and Gagarin by clicking on the button tangency extinguishes them. Detects and excellent response. Then check vision: all right. The first stage of test — the overload in the direction from the head to the pelvis in three, five, seven units (for 30 s each) — Gagarin survived successfully. And there is still more difficult test.

A recent series of surveys on the centrifuge was created transverse overload in the direction of the chest — back when the angle of tilt from the vertical 65°. The rotation of the centrifuge was performed according to the following scheme: seven pieces for three minutes, nine and ten units of two minutes. Daily was conducted in only one rotation.

In the medical record: "the Cross-directional overload in seven, nine and ten units Yuri Gagarin was fine. Admitted to special training". The main decision of the Commission, were selected cosmonaut candidates, of the 250 pilots fit was recognized only 20. Among them — Gagarin, Titov, Nikolaev, Popovich, Leonov, Bykovskiy...

In March 1960, detachment future astronauts placed in the building weather service Central aerodrome them. Frunze, opposite the metro station "Dynamo". A leader and a mentor of the first group of astronauts were assigned to the famous pilot, hero of the Soviet Union, Lieutenant General of aviation N. P. Kamanin, the first chief of the cosmonaut training Center — experienced aviation doctor E. A. Karpov.

Since March 15, the first group of cosmonauts began planning training. At first, classrooms, training stands and playgrounds were located between the metro station "Airport" and "Dynamo", and then moved to the suburbs, in Star city, the name which was given to Yuri Gagarin.

On the basics of rocketry, the design of the spacecraft and its systems courses were taught by K. P. Feoktistov, M. K. Tikhonravov V. I. Sevastyanov. Classes in space medicine conducted one of its founders — V. I. Yazdovsky. Lazdovska very appreciated Queens for high professionalism, responsibility and memory. Lectures and space communications. It was already known that during the first space flight will operate the system, "dawn", and the first cosmonaut call sign is "Cedar".

The main point of space communication was in Moscow, the radio should be held in two system — on ultra-short waves and short waves. Great attention to the training of astronauts paid Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. With each of the astronauts Korolev met and talked, studied, watched, revealed the physiological characteristics. The everyday life of the astronauts was loaded to the limit.

Every spare minute was given to sports: volleyball, basketball — a recognized leader in which, despite a small increase was Gagarin, the ball game, jumping into the water from a springboard and tower, exercises on the trampoline, the loping, swings, Rhine wheel.

Along with athletics and sports games were used and integrated technique: improved coordination of movements, the ability to control the body in space, training the vestibular apparatus. Markedly increased endurance and power quality Gagarin. Increased General physical preparedness of the organism, and thus improved and the reaction of the cardiovascular system for exercise.

Improved coordination of movements, stronger muscles. All this was of great importance to prepare for skydiving. In may 1960 the silver Il-12 with pilots on Board (there were eight) took a course in Saratov. Here at the airfield near the town of Engels had a new challenge — a parachute.

The first jump Gagarin was extremely successful. Everything seemed to have favoured him. Weather permitting, excellent condition. Of course, affected his composure and concentration of Yuri, his stable confidence in the success of any business. So this time: correctly separated from the aircraft and safely landed. But the instructor still noted a narrow placement of the feet and low body roll.

Throughout a training cycle Gagarin showed a rare poise and confidence. Before one jumps from a height of 4 thousand meters delayed parachute deployment for up to 50 seconds, the pulse he was 80 beats per minute! Quickly developed his skills fluency body in space during long jumps. And all on his account, Yuri had already 43 jump.

In front of new challenges. This time in silence. 26 July 1960 tight and slender Gagarin arrived in the room of the isolation chamber. She was in the Petrovsko-Razumovsky Park, near the stadium "Dynamo". No light, no noise, no steps do not penetrate into the chamber of silence. In complete isolation from the outside world is a future astronaut. Ten days he would be alone. To work, to carry out special tasks to stay focused and attentive, relying only on themselves. Passed the last of cooking.

The technician has strengthened sensors and electrodes for recording of the respiratory rate, the currents of the brain and electrocardiograms. Heavy thick door closed behind him, separating from the usual expensive in the world. Every day was a schedule. Morning exercises, an exercise bike, walking, and running in place, testing, and monitoring and reporting on the temperature, pressure in the isolation chamber, keeping a work diary and more. Duty on the relationship did not go out, though, and laughed at the jokes inexhaustible imagination of the subject.

Menu Gagarin consisted of the contents of the tubes with soups, smoked sausage, cream cheese, bread. Every day increased the number of log records on duty doctors were chronometrically all the activities and health of the astronaut during the day. In forced solitude Gagarin read Pushkin, Mayakovsky, used the library, donated by future astronauts publishing house "Young guard". Keen to master, humming your favorite "I love you, life."

Over the tenth day. Opened the massive door, and there was Gagarin... same as always, healthy, cheerful, but only terribly missed the people and the human voice. The survey confirmed that the reaction to the insulation was adequate, there has been a rapid orientation in the environment, self-mastery, emotional stability, sense of humor, friendly attitude towards people.

Had tests in weightlessness. Astronauts needed to carry out three flying parabolic trajectories. In the first flight they were acquainted with the state of weightlessness, worked through conducting radio communications. The second studied the coordination of movements, visual acuity, the ability of the meal. In the third — recorded physiological parameters. The results of each flight carefully analyzed the doctors. Three parabolic flight, Gagarin received a rating of "excellent".

Began the settling of the ship "Vostok". Astronauts thoroughly studied the ship, took possession of its complex systems. Some of their suggestions were promptly implemented engineers and designers. Gagarin first tested the new suits in the simulator of a spaceship. He first had to pass an exam of the State Commission on space technology. And again, "excellent".

10 April 1961, the State Commission decided that the first flight into space, Yuri Gagarin. His understudy was appointed German Titov. In response Gagarin just said, "Job is done". April 12, 1961, the world did not know that preparing a sensational event of the century. Senior Lieutenant Gagarin and Titov were up at 5:30 in the morning, did exercises, washed, and ate Breakfast. Doctors conducted a preflight inspection, helped astronauts wear spacesuits. Bus Gagarin and Titov were delivered to the launch pad at Baikonur. Before you take the Elevator in the cabin, Gagarin smiled: "Well, friends, here's one for all and all for one!"

And then the words were said that he knows now by heart every astronaut: "What can I say in these minutes before the start? My whole life seems to be now a single beautiful moment. All that lived before, it was made for this moment. I know that I will gather all my will to the best of the job, knowing the responsibility of the task. I will do everything in my power... I say to you, dear friends, “goodbye!” — as always tell each other the people going on a long journey. How I would like to hug you all, friends and strangers far and near".

8:55 doctors once held the record physiological parameters. Gagarin repeatedly reported that ready. 9:07 "East" came out on the legendary Gagarin's orbit. 9:48 Gagarin was told: "Feeling good mood". In these moments the world has heard the voice of Yuri Levitan: "April 12, 1961 the Soviet Union launched into orbit around the Earth the world's first spacecraft-satellite "Vostok" with a man on Board."

10:45 Yuri Gagarin landed near the village of Smelovka Saratov region. By a curious coincidence, exactly where for the first time rose into the sky in an airplane. He was met by the wife of a Forester Anna Akimovna Tarkhanov with his granddaughter Rita and farmer Rudenko. He stepped towards them, "Hello, I — pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin". And smiled like he knew how to smile he's the only one.