The first human space flight: What can we learn from it?

Today marks the 59^th anniversary of the first human space flight.

On 12^th April 1961 Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen, became the first human ever to orbit the Earth. This came several years after the groundwork for space exploration was laid when the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik I, was launched into outer space in October 1957.

The flight lasted 108 minutes and circled the Earth for just over one orbit. It went on to spark one of the most momentous periods in human history, with Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin walking on the moon just eight years later.

One of humanity’s most inspiring and empowering stories provides some important lessons for us, especially during testing times. Let’s take a look back, 59 years to be exact, and see what lessons merchants can learn from this achievement.

Keep innovating and evolving

The first-ever human space flight was achieved during a time of intense competition between the United States and Soviet Union for technological supremacy in space. This mounting competition to be the greatest in your field is something merchants today are no stranger to.

The Soviet Union was committed to trying new things, in order to achieve success. Before Gagarin set off on his mission, the Soviet Union had achieved great feats such as sending Sputnik into space, as well as a test flight using a prototype of the Vostok spacecraft containing a life-size dummy and a dog.

Similarly, merchants should always be planning their next move and considering how they can evolve and improve their business, even when they are confident in their ability. For example, long-established insurance provider SIGNAL IDUNA recently expanded its online and mobile service offering, with the help of Wirecard. Even an industry that has been around for over a century, insurance, needs to stay one step ahead of the evolving needs of customers.

Innovation can be born from necessity, and the current times we are living in are a prime example: While the health crisis has affected businesses differently, restrictions to everyday life remain. Many merchants have embraced pressures to adapt and evolve quickly, for example, Domino’s was quick to start offering “contactless delivery” to customers. There are numerous solutions in the market for merchants seeking to continue developing their business and innovating, such as those offered by the tech-focused InnovationForNow initiative.

Look to the North Star

On 25^th May 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave a historic speech which set America on a course to the moon. In this speech, Kennedy outlined an ambitious space exploration program which included putting the first man on the moon by the end of the 1960’s.

This declaration pushed the Soviet Union to opt in as a contender for the space race.

In the same way that President John F. Kennedy set a target of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade, merchants should outline their key goals and targets to boost productivity and motivation. By outlining a clear goal, a company unwaveringly defines its purpose.

Be bold, but prepare for failure

Choosing to do something which had never been done before set the Soviet Union apart from other countries. With the intensifying competition between the United States and Soviet Union to claim the title of the first country to orbit the earth, there was no room for opportunistic or rash decisions

Gagarin wasn’t the only man considered for the mission. Over 200 Russian Air Force fighter pilots were selected as cosmonaut candidates based on their experience with high-stress conditions, as well as exposure to the forces of acceleration and the ejection process.

After he was chosen, Gagarin faced a lot of uncertainty about safety and how long the orbit would take. With this lack of knowledge, the spacecraft was packed with 10 days' worth of provisions as a precaution against engine issues, which could have required him to wait for the orbit to naturally decay. As it happened, these supplies were not needed.

While merchants and businesses endeavor to be bold and take risks, it is pertinent to prepare for failure. Some readers may recall that the iPhone was one of the first touchscreen smartphones, at a time when most consumers were using phones with keyboards. There was no shortage of doubters and critics, including Microsoft and Blackberry. Apple was bold in their approach, and as we now know, it paid off.

In difficult times, it can be rewarding to look back and take in humanity’s achievements. Merchants can learn from this, look ahead, and remember to keep innovating, focus on clear goals, and be bold.