Tereshkova was the first women to fly in space. Born in Russia,she worked in a cotton factory, but her hobby was parachuting. She applied for training to be an astronaut in 1961. two years later, she was sent up alone in the sixth manned soviet rocket. She made 48 orbits of the earth, lasting over 71 hours. The same year she married another Russian astronaut and the birth of their first child in 1964 was a matter of great interest among scientists. They wanted to know if exposure to weightlessness and the other problems of space travel would affect any children born to such parents. Apparently, they did not. Tereshkova was awarded many honours, and became deeply involved in communist politics, particularly for women's causes. She continues to be a hero for the Russians.....