Most "firsts" are terrible at what they do, especially compared to the follow ups. >first animal? laika died. Yes, but Belka and Strelka lived. They were the

Most "firsts" are terrible at what they do, especially compared to the follow ups. >first animal? laika died. Yes, but Belka and Strelka lived. They were the first to go to orbit and back. USSR too. >first *naut? yuri gagarin didn't even have manual controls. And Alan Shepard didn't even had a bath. I say this one doesn't count too. In fact - nothing counts until your nation\program can't deliver a human to Alpha Centauri and black alive and well. Ideally in less than a year.