Russia is marking the 50th anniversary, of the first human in space, by Yuri Gagarin. On a visit to Mission Control outside Moscow, President Dmitry Medvedev pledged to uphold his nation's preeminence in space.

He also held a conference call with the Russian, US, and Italian crews at the International Space Station. He congratulated them, and wished continued success on their mission.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russian President, said, "I am confident, that cosmonautics will have a terrific future. Humanity has invested and will invest its resources. On behalf of the Russian Federation, I would like to say that we, of course, will do this by all means, because space is our priority."

Medvedev said Russia must not lose its edge in the skies, and expressed confidence about the future, saying space is a priority. The statement followed warnings by a cosmonaut, that the country risks losing its advantage in space research by relying solely on Soviet-era achievements, and doing little to develop new technologies. Gagarin's 108-minute mission half a century ago, remains a source of great national pride.

Officials from both Russia and the US, as well as astronauts from all around the world, arrived in the capital, to pay tribute to him on Monday. Guests, at Moscow's space museum, saw a statue of Gagarin, as well as a model of Sputnik, the world's first satellite. April 12th is Russia's National Space Day.

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