After his space mission, Gherman Stepanovich Titov faced new responsibilities related to his social and political activities. The cosmonaut was constantly invited to visit the countries that were considered friendly by the Soviet Union and gladly toured the world as part of a large Soviet delegation, speaking about his flight and the preparation process. At the same time, he had the chance to become acquainted with other cultures.
Less than a month after his space flight, Titov went on his first foreign trip to the German Democratic Republic. There, he was welcomed as a national hero.
The agenda of his trips was always very busy. For example, in the 12 days he spent in the United States, Gherman Titov participated in over 20 press events, radio and TV appearances, and delivered 8 lectures on the Vostok 2 mission.
According to his contemporaries, in his speeches and answers to numerous questions, the former fighter pilot spoke about the results of his mission and the achievements of the Soviet Union in space exploration in a correct and often quite witty manner.
American newspapers and TV channels provided extensive coverage of Titov’s visit to the United States. The TV appearances of the second cosmonaut were broadcast several times a day and never interrupted by commercial breaks which was not typical of American TV programs of that time. Titov also met with ordinary Americans in Seattle, San Francisco, and during the last days of his stay in New York City. Titov’s visit was formally organized by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the UN Secretary-General. During the second part of the trip, the Soviet cosmonaut mostly participated in group meetings with local residents.
In absolutely each and every country that he visited, Titov and his wife received a hearty and even rapturous welcome. The president of friendly North Vietnam Ho Chi Minh asked Titov to call him simply “Uncle Ho” and presented him with an island that was named Titov Island.
The cosmonaut’s memorial museum houses a comb made from an aircraft wing. Gherman Titov received it as a present “From Vietnamese Patriots”.
Less than a month after his space flight, Titov went on his first foreign trip to the German Democratic Republic. There, he was welcomed as a national hero.
The agenda of his trips was always very busy. For example, in the 12 days he spent in the United States, Gherman Titov participated in over 20 press events, radio and TV appearances, and delivered 8 lectures on the Vostok 2 mission.
According to his contemporaries, in his speeches and answers to numerous questions, the former fighter pilot spoke about the results of his mission and the achievements of the Soviet Union in space exploration in a correct and often quite witty manner.
American newspapers and TV channels provided extensive coverage of Titov’s visit to the United States. The TV appearances of the second cosmonaut were broadcast several times a day and never interrupted by commercial breaks which was not typical of American TV programs of that time. Titov also met with ordinary Americans in Seattle, San Francisco, and during the last days of his stay in New York City. Titov’s visit was formally organized by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the UN Secretary-General. During the second part of the trip, the Soviet cosmonaut mostly participated in group meetings with local residents.
In absolutely each and every country that he visited, Titov and his wife received a hearty and even rapturous welcome. The president of friendly North Vietnam Ho Chi Minh asked Titov to call him simply “Uncle Ho” and presented him with an island that was named Titov Island.
The cosmonaut’s memorial museum houses a comb made from an aircraft wing. Gherman Titov received it as a present “From Vietnamese Patriots”.
