response 194 of 252:

Jun 1 13:44 UTC 2020

The first man in space was Yuri Gagarin.  He was 5'2.  He got started
as a volunteer flight cadet while studying tractors at a technical
school.  He was an honors grad in moldmaking and foundry work.
He was almost kicked out of flight school until the instructor
let him sit on extra seat cushions so he could see over the dashboard.
His office in Star City is a shrine and all Cosmonauts pee on the tires
of the vehicle which drives them to the launch pad - it's a nod to
something Yuri did which he learned working on the banks of the
Volga River.  A great stress relief and moment of levity.
They crazy antics the Cosmonauts have endured to keep their space program
going is pretty well documented - cereal commercials and tire ad
banners from video in space.  They always deserve a nod as partners
of the ISS and science advocates.