[konart]

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.

[verzali]

Tough to cover eight light years in less than a year, though depends whose frame of reference you are measuring in here?

[konart]

>Tough

A real challenge, wouldn't you agree? :)