I felt fine after 24 hours and asked the state commission to prolong my stay in space to three days. And I carried out the entire schedule. Could I have done that if I had been half-dead?

Meaning of the quote

Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian astronaut, felt healthy and energetic even after spending a full day in space. She wanted to stay longer and complete her full schedule, which she was able to do. This shows that she was not at all "half-dead" or sick, but instead was in excellent condition to continue her important work in space.

About Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to ever travel to space. She orbited the Earth 48 times in 1963, spending almost three days in space. Tereshkova had a diverse career, working as a textile factory worker, an amateur skydiver, and a prominent member of the Communist Party before becoming a cosmonaut.

More about the author

More quotes from Valentina Tereshkova

I felt fine after 24 hours and asked the state commission to prolong my stay in space to three days. And I carried out the entire schedule. Could I have done that if I had been half-dead?

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

To tell her that I joined the parachute club was too hard for me. I didn’t want to trouble her; besides, I was not completely sure about the success of my new adventure.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

If women can be railroad workers in Russia, why can’t they fly in space?

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

Once you’ve been in space, you appreciate how small and fragile the Earth is.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

They forbade me from flying, despite all my protests and arguments. After being once in space, I was desperately keen to go back there. But it didn’t happen.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

The ideals of the party were close to me, and I have tried to adhere to those principles all my life. In essence, they are the same as in the Ten Commandments in the Bible. I will never change my convictions.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

Russia is still the leader in world space exploration. But its position of leader involves great responsibility – we have no right to lag behind. We can and we must move constantly forward.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

I am convinced that the modular structure of the Mir will be the main trend in manned orbital stations development in the next century.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space

Anyone who has spent any time in space will love it for the rest of their lives. I achieved my childhood dream of the sky.

Valentina Tereshkova

Russian cosmonaut and pilot, first woman to have flown in space