We may not be prone to happy thoughts when "Russia" gets mentioned lately, but April 12 is the anniversary of the first human spaceflight by Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Ben will discuss the early days of the Vostok program and Gagarin's background, the events of and after the flight, and the influences that led to the yearly celebration of Yuri's Night.
Ben is a longtime Austinite, musician with The Heavenly States and The Space Elevators, and an unrepentant/optimistic space nerd.