World's First Space Station launched 50 years ago today

On 19 April 1971, 50 years ago, the world’s first space station – Salyut 1 – was launched. Its debut success for the Soviet Salyut program paved the way for the future of space exploration, allowing astronauts to spend extended periods of time in space and conduct the scientific experiments and make the observations that have shaped human history, as well as breaking numerous space records, all ratified by the FAI. More

(Source: World Air Sports Federation - Apr 20)