Malawi 50 Kwacha 2011

History

50 Kwacha 2011, Malawi, 50th Anniversary of the Launch of Vostok Spacecraft

Obverse. Photo © Antykwariat Numizmatyczny Michał Niemczyk

Description

The Vostok spacecraft, developed by the Soviet Union, was a class of single-pilot crewed spacecraft that played a crucial role in space exploration. The first human spaceflight, Vostok 1, took place on April 12, 1961, with Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person to orbit Earth. The Vostok program conducted six crewed missions between 1961 and 1963, after which it was succeeded by the Voskhod and Soyuz programs. The design of Vostok was dual-purpose, serving both as a platform for human spaceflight and as the basis for the Soviet Union’s first spy satellites, a factor that helped gain support from Soviet authorities.

The spacecraft itself consisted of a spherical descent module, housing the cosmonaut and equipment, and a biconical instrument module containing the propellant and engine systems. The cosmonaut would eject from the capsule at 7,000 meters during reentry and parachute to the ground, as the descent module made rough landings. Despite its success, the Vostok system had limitations, particularly its lack of control during reentry and the inability to fully ensure crew safety in early launch stages. Nonetheless, Vostok remains a historic achievement in space exploration, culminating in key milestones such as Gagarin's flight and Valentina Tereshkova becoming the first woman in space.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion, Leopard Coat of arms Malawi Depicts the coat of arms of Malawi dividing the date, country name in Chichewa above, metal, purity and denomination below. Malawi's coat of arms is based on Nyasaland's earlier heraldic arms. It features a shield supported by a lion and a leopard, standing on a representation of Mount Mulanje. The shield is divided into three parts: wavy lines symbolizing water, a central stripe with a lion representing strength, and a rising sun, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Above the shield is a fish eagle in front of a rising sun, symbolizing freedom. The scroll below the shield bears the national motto, "Unity and Freedom," reflecting Malawi's goals of harmony and independence. REPUBLIC OF MALAŴI 20 11 UNITY AND FREEDOM AG 999/1000 50 KWACHA
Reverse	Colorised Aviation & astronautics Spacecraft, Space suit Person (scientist, inventor, explorer, architect etc.) Yuri Gagarin Depicts a vibrant, multicolored portrait of Yuri Gagarin in a red Vostok 1 spacesuit, waving to the crowd as he exits the launch cabin. To the left, the Vostok 1 spacecraft is shown launching with flames beneath it, while rays fill the background. The launch and issue dates are displayed along the rim on the right side. Yuri Gagarin (1934–1968) was a Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into space on April 12, 1961. Aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, Gagarin orbited Earth in a historic flight that lasted 108 minutes, making him an international hero and a symbol of Soviet achievement in the Space Race. Born in 1934 in Klushino, Russia, Gagarin trained as a pilot before being selected for the Soviet space program. Despite his fame, Gagarin's space career was limited to that single flight, as Soviet officials, fearing for his safety, restricted him from further space missions. He died in 1968 during a routine training flight, leaving behind a legacy as a global icon of human exploration. 1961-2011 CCCP
Edge	Reeded (milled)