Dossier
Valentina Tereshkova
Coverage of Valentina Tereshkova in the Nexus archive.
- Today in History: June 16, Valentina Tereshkova becomes first woman in space
Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on June 16, 1963, after being launched by the Soviet Union aboard Vostok 6. She spent 71 hours in orbit, completing 48 Earth circles before returning safely.