Gherman Titov
Second to orbit Earth, first to sleep and vomit in space.
Gherman Stepanovich Titov was a Soviet cosmonaut selected in 1960 as part of the initial group of Soviet cosmonauts chosen from Soviet Air Force jet pilots. At 25 years old at launch, he remains the youngest professional astronaut and the youngest person to fly in Earth orbit.
- field
- Cosmonautics
- nationality
- Soviet
- known_for
- Second human to orbit Earth; first to spend more than a day in space; first to s
Lore & Background
Titov was selected in 1960 as part of the initial group of Soviet cosmonauts, chosen from Soviet Air Force jet pilots. His flight proved that humans could live and work in space. He was the first person to orbit the Earth multiple times (a total of 17 orbits) and to spend more than a day in space. He was also the first to sleep in orbit and to suffer from space sickness (becoming the first person to vomit in space). A month short of 26 years old at launch, he is the youngest professional astronaut and person to fly to Earth orbit.
Reader's Guide
Gherman Titov's significance lies in his pioneering role as the second human to orbit Earth and the first to demonstrate that humans could live and work in space for an extended period. His 25.3-hour flight on Vostok 2, with 17 orbits, proved that sleep and basic activities were possible in microgravity, despite his experience of space sickness—the first recorded case. He also produced the first human-taken photographs and film of Earth from orbit. His record as the youngest person to fly in Earth orbit stood for nearly 60 years. His remark about not seeing God in space, though often misattributed to Gagarin, became a piece of Soviet anti-religion propaganda.
Did You Know?
- Titov was selected in 1960 as part of the initial group of Soviet cosmonauts, chosen from Soviet Air Force jet pilots.
- Titov was the first person to sleep in orbit and the first to suffer from space sickness, becoming the first person to vomit in space.
- At 25 years old at launch, he remains the youngest professional astronaut and the youngest person to fly in Earth orbit.
- As of 2026, the only surviving member of the initial 1960 Soviet cosmonaut group is Boris Volynov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gherman Titov?
Gherman Stepanovich Titov was a Soviet-Russian cosmonaut who flew aboard Vostok 2 on 6 August 1961, becoming the second human to complete a full orbit of the Earth. Born in Altai Krai, western Siberia, he was also the first person born on the Asian continent to travel into space.
What are Gherman Titov's most notable space firsts?
Beyond orbiting the planet second only to Gagarin, Titov was the first human to sleep in orbit and the first to suffer space sickness during a mission. He was also the first person to spend more than a full day in space.
How old was Gherman Titov when he flew in space?
He was 25 years old at the time of his Vostok 2 launch, a record that still stands as the youngest professional astronaut and the youngest person ever to fly in Earth orbit.
What happened to Gherman Titov during his Vostok 2 flight?
Titov battled severe nausea and became the first person to vomit while in space. Despite the discomfort, he managed to fall asleep in orbit, a milestone no one had achieved before.
Why is Gherman Titov important in space history?
By completing a full orbit and enduring more than a day in microgravity, Titov demonstrated that humans could sustain longer periods in space, a critical step beyond Gagarin's single-orbit flight. His experience with space sickness also gave engineers and physicians their first real data on how the human body reacts to extended weightlessness.
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