> In 1963, who became the first woman to travel into space?And the answer: Valentina Tereshkova.As a cosmonaut in the Soviet Union, Tereshkova became the first woman to travelinto space, aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. She spent almost three days inspace, orbiting the Earth 48 times, and to this day is the only woman to haveflown on a solo space mission.Though Tereshkova broke records with her 1963 flight, this Soviet cosmonaut hadnever actually intended to go to space. Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937 insmall a village in western Russia. When she was two years old, Tereshkova losther father in World War II. The young girl's mother went on to raise her and hertwo siblings alone while supporting them by working in a textile mill. YoungValentina continued on to school while also working in the mill, but soonrealized a secret passion: parachuting. This hobby was ultimately a decisiveadvantage for the cosmonaut's selection in the Soviet training program. During the late 50s and 60s, the Space Race between the United States and theSoviet Union began to escalate. The competition between the two nations wasfierce, and the Soviets were determined to be the first to send a woman intospace. Ultimately, after vigorous training and preparation, the Soviet unioncelebrated as Tereshkova launched on June 16, 1963. It was another 20 yearsbefore American Sally Ride made her way beyond Earth's atmosphere. Fun fact!As Tereshkova's craft took off, the cosmonaut shouted: “Hey sky, take off yourhat. I’m on my way!”