Science & TechnologyRussian1934 – 2019
Alexei Leonov
First human to conduct a spacewalk (1965)
Biography
Soviet cosmonaut and pilot who became the first person to conduct a spacewalk on March 18, 1965. His pioneering extravehicular activity lasted 12 minutes and opened a new era in human spaceflight.
Quick Facts
Category
Science & Technology
Nationality
Russian
Born
1934
Died
2019
Thinking about the name
Alexei
Greek origin
“A Russian diminutive of Alexander, derived from the Greek alexios meaning 'defender' or 'helper.' Alexei carries aristocratic weight in Russian history, famously borne by Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, the young heir to the Russian throne in the early 20th century. The name evokes both classical strength and a certain romantic, melancholic depth characteristic of Russian literature.”