The message reads, in part:
“You belong to a famed galaxy of courageous and strong-willed people who are loyal to their Motherland. Your legendary feat, your tremendous contribution to the development of the national space programme and your entire heroic biography are rightfully included in the history of our country. They provide young people with a worthy example. Of course, I would also like to note your active civic position, as well as your significant public and law-making activity.”
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Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, took off in her Vostok-6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963. The spacecraft circled the Earth 48 times during its three-day mission.
Valentina Tereshkova is actively engaged in public and political work. She is a State Duma deputy and chairs its Commission on Parliamentary Ethics. She is also a member of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs.