Orbiting Khruschev

THE recent US space probe reminds me of Yuri Gagarin’s orbit of the earth for one hour and 29 minutes in April 1961.

The ovation he received was beautifully described by the late Richard Dimbleby on BBC television.

“A hero’s welcome in Moscow. Cosmonaut of the Soviet Union, member of the Soviet Socialist Republic, red carpet treatment at the airport, and 12 kisses from Mr Khrushchev. For any man, what a day!”