ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI), recently hosted a commemorative ceremony in Addis Ababa to mark the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's groundbreaking first human space flight.
The event, held on April 15, 2026, honored the Soviet cosmonaut's historic journey, which took place on April 12, 1961. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was conducted before an image of Yuri Gagarin, symbolizing the enduring respect for his pioneering achievement.
During the ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, delivered a poignant speech, emphasizing the global significance of Gagarin's legacy. "The peoples of the world on this day honor Yuri Gagarin's legacy and admire the courage and determination of the heroes who dared to travel to space," Ambassador Terekhin stated.
He further articulated the inspirational power of such feats, noting that this commemoration "will inspire future generations in their efforts to expand the horizons of human space exploration." The Ambassador underscored the importance of continued innovation and collaboration in pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.
Looking to the future, Ambassador Terekhin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to its partnership with Ethiopia. He pledged that Russia would continue to strengthen its cooperation with the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute across various domains of space science and related fields. This commitment highlights the growing bilateral ties in scientific and technological advancement.
On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history as the first human to journey into outer space, orbiting the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. His pioneering 108-minute flight marked a monumental achievement for humanity and a pivotal moment in the Space Race, inspiring generations globally to look beyond Earth's confines. Gagarin's feat not only demonstrated the capabilities of Soviet space technology but also ignited a worldwide fascination with space exploration.
Ethiopia has been steadily advancing its own space program, recognizing the critical role of space science and technology in national development. The Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI), established to lead these efforts, has been instrumental in fostering research, development, and application of space-related technologies. Ethiopia launched its first Earth observation satellite, ETRSS-1, in December 2019, followed by a second, ET-SMART-RSS, in January 2022, demonstrating its commitment to leveraging space technology for areas such as agriculture, climate monitoring, and resource management.
The ongoing collaboration between Russia and Ethiopia in space science is poised to further enhance Ethiopia's capabilities in this strategic sector. Such partnerships are crucial for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and joint research initiatives, ultimately contributing to both nations' scientific progress and the broader understanding of space.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia