Screen Science: First Orbit [Recreation Of Yuri Gagarin's Spaceflight]

on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Screen Science will be an irregular column reflecting moments where the science and screen arenas meet in a meaningful and notable manner.

Words: Saam Das


Hopefully you will have noticed that today (April 12th) is the 50th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight. To celebrate Yuri Gagarin's historic flight, a free film "shot entirely on board the International Space Station to recreate the original first orbit of Vostok 1" has been made available to watch in full for free on YouTube, and is embedded below.

The film isn't intended to be watched in the manner of a traditional film, and the makers consider it might be better served as an "installation film". For more information on the film and Gagarin's first orbit, visit firstorbit.org. I'd also recommend reading the director Christopher Riley's introduction to the film at guardian.co.uk.


msn spaces tracker
-