Commemorating the first space flight by a woman, 50 years ago, the United Nations marked the contributions by women so far, calling them as powerful role models. Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman cosmonaut to fly into outer space on 16th June, 1963 making history in a 70-hour flight during which she orbited the Earth 48 times.
"This milestone heralded the beginning of the contribution by women to human space flight," Mazlan Othman, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, said to mark 50 years of Women in Space.
Indian American astronaut, Sunita Williams, commander of Expedition 33 in 2012 holds the record for the longest single space flight by a woman.
Women astronauts have also served as the Mission Commander for both Space Shuttle and Space Station missions.
Peggy Whitson, in 2007 became the first female commander of the International Space Station.
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