Russia holds the distinction of sending both the first man and woman into space. Major Yuri Gagarin flew into space on 12 April 1961, and Valentia Tereshkova followed two years later, in June 1963.The youngest person to fly in space is Gherman TItov, at 26 years aboard Vostok 2. The oldest is John Glenn, at age 77 aboard the Discovery in October 1988. It was his second trip to space, his first was in 1962.
The USA recognizes those who have been selected to go to space as astronauts, even if they're still in training. Russia reserves the title of cosmonaut only for those who have made a successful flight into space.
Up to the 1970's, the earliest astronauts were often jet fighter pilots from military backgrounds. However, Neil Amstrong was already a civilian when he became the first man to set foot on the moon.
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