On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, 26, became the first woman in space when she was launched into orbit aboard Vostok 6, circling the Earth 48 times over the next three days. During her flight, Tereshkova used the call sign "Chaika" ("Seagull"), made television broadcasts to viewers in the Soviet Union, and maintained regular radio contact with fellow cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky, who was also in orbit aboard Vostok 5. The two passed within three miles of each other, both landing on June 19, 1963.

These swatches of fabric were cut from the parachute that Tereshkova used to descend to the ground after ejecting from Vostok 6, certified by Col. M.Y. Temper of the Kiev Cosmonautics Museum.