No. 027-08-04-2011

PRESS-RELEASE

THE 50-TH ANNIVERSARY OF YURI GAGARIN'S FLIGHT TO OUTER SPACE

On April 12, 2011 the 50-th Anniversary of the flight to space of Soviet citizen (at present Russia) Yuri Gagarin, who became the first human at Earth orbit, will be celebrated both in Russia and all round the world. This flight opened the new historical age of technical progress of mankind.

Yu.Gagarin, who was born in 1934, participated in the training program for the first cosmonauts and was selected by the commission as the best candidate for the space travel. The spaceship "Vostok 1" was launched on April 12, 1961. During the flight which lasted 108 minutes the spaceship flied round the Earth and Yuri Gagarin conducted some scientific researches which served as a basis for further development of cosmonautics in Russia and abroad.

At present, Russia, as one of the leaders in the space technologies, conducts both scientific and commercial launches and pays great attention to the development of international aerospace cooperation with all countries including Indonesia. The First President of Indonesia Sukarno met some with Soviet cosmonauts, including Yu.Gagarin, during his official visits to Moscow in 1961 and 1964. Since that time the bilateral cooperation has become an integral part of Russian-Indonesian relations.

It is like a symbol that rocket with the regular expedition to ISS on board was launched successfully on April 5, 2011, on the eve of the Anniversary. The spaceship "Soyuz TMA-21", named "Yuri Gagarin" carried to ISS the three-men crew (two Russians and one American), food and water reserves.

Within the framework of celebration of the 50-th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Human to Space some events will be held by the Russian Embassy in Indonesia in the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Jakarta (Srt. Diponegoro, 12) on April 12, 2011. These events include the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition, organized by the news agency "RIA-Novosti" and named "Yuri Gagarin. The First Man in Outer Space" and the seminar "50 Years of Space Age: Yuri Gagarin and Indonesia". The Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia H.E. Mr. A.Ivanov, leadership of LAPAN and representatives of Indonesian public and scientific organizations will participate in these events.