Congratulations to pilot-cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova 2016-03-06 10:00:00 Vladimir Putin congratulated pilot-cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the world’s first woman in space and a Hero of the Soviet Union, on her birthday. The message reads, in part: “You are rightly considered an outstanding, extraordinary personality, a true legend of the national and world cosmonautics. Your strong character, profound knowledge and a proactive stance in life and civic activities have always helped you achieve your goals and fully realise your rich professional and creative potential.”