An important event in the Russian science played an important role space flight.
The first of the Russian people flew in space, Yuri Gagarin.
Start the "Vostok" with pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on board was made April 12, 1961 at 09:07 Moscow time. In orbit Gagarin spent the simplest experiments: drinking, eating, did write with a pencil.
10:55:34 in 108 minutes, the ship made the flight.