Yuri Gagarin - In 1955, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was chosen by the Soviets for mankind’s first trip to space due to his impressive record as a fighter pilot in the military.
Neil Armstrong - The Ohio-born astronaut Neil Armstrong became famous the world over in 1969 when he became the first man to walk on the moon.
Alan Shepard - Born in 1923, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard was the first American in space. After WWII, Alan Shepard went back to school and became a test pilot.
Buzz Aldrin - NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin isn't as famous as his colleague Neil Armstrong, but anyone with even a passing interest in space exploration knows his name.
John Glenn - John Glenn was one of the most American astronaut heroes. In 1962, he became the first American to orbit the earth.
Valentina Tereshkova - Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to go into space on June 16, 1963. She had been selected the year previously by the Russian Space Federation
Sally Ride - By 1982, the Russians had done it twice, with Svetlana Savitskaya making a foray into outer orbit nineteen years after Valentina Tereshkova.
Chris Hadfield - .Chris Hadfield is arguably the most famous astronaut after Neil Armstrong. Hadfield is a highly accomplished astronaut who has been involved in multiple successful space missions.
Christa McAuliffe - Christa McAuliffe is a famous name in the world of space travel. She is instead known as one of the seven people who died during the Challenger disaster in 1986.
Mae Jemison - Former NASA astronaut, physician, author, chemical engineer, and futurist Mae Jemison is another significant figure in the history of space travel.
Scott Kelly - To the general public, Scott Kelly is a relatively obscure astronaut celebrity. He’s spent around 520 days in space — among the most by any American.
Tim Peake - Tim Peake was the first British astronaut from the European Space Agency to visit the International Space Station. Tim spent 6 months aboard the ISS.
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