The first man in space was Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut who made history on April 12, 1961. He orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, completing one full orbit in approximately 108 minutes. Gagarin's mission marked a significant achievement in the Space Race during the Cold War and demonstrated the feasibility of human space travel. His successful flight paved the way for future manned space missions and made him an international hero. Gagarin's legacy endures as a symbol of human exploration and determination in the quest to explore outer space.