Russian Space Pioneer Alexei Leonov

Russian space pioneer Alexei Leonov was a trailblazing cosmonaut who etched his name in history as the first human to conduct a spacewalk. Born on May 30, 1934, Leonov's daring feat took place on March 18, 1965, during the Voskhod 2 mission. Venturing outside his spacecraft, he floated in the vacuum of space for about 12 minutes, tethered only by a thin cord. This groundbreaking achievement showcased his courage and contributed significantly to our understanding of human capabilities in the cosmos. Beyond his historic spacewalk, Leonov also played a vital role in the Soviet space program, contributing to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project and serving as a respected artist after his cosmonaut career. His legacy continues to inspire generations of space enthusiasts and remains an enduring symbol of human exploration beyond Earth's boundaries. Leonov passed away on October 11, 2019, leaving behind an indelible mark on space history.