<P> Since the first human spaceflight by the Soviet Union , citizens of 40 countries have flown in space . For each nationality , the launch date of the first mission is listed . The list is based on the nationality of the person at the time of the launch . Only 3 of the 40 `` first flyers '' have been women ( Helen Sharman for the United Kingdom in 1991 , Anousheh Ansari for Iran in 2006 , and Yi So - yeon for South Korea in 2008 ) . Only three nations ( Soviet Union / Russia , U.S. , China ) have launched their own manned spacecraft , with the Soviets / Russians and the American programs providing rides to other nations ' astronauts . Twenty - six `` first flights '' occurred on Soviet or Russian flights while the United States carried thirteen . </P>
<P> Since the first human spaceflight by the Soviet Union , citizens of 40 countries have flown in space . For each nationality , the launch date of the first mission is listed . The list is based on the nationality of the person at the time of the launch . Only 3 of the 40 `` first flyers '' have been women ( Helen Sharman for the United Kingdom in 1991 , Anousheh Ansari for Iran in 2006 , and Yi So - yeon for South Korea in 2008 ) . Only three nations ( Soviet Union / Russia , U.S. , China ) have launched their own manned spacecraft , with the Soviets / Russians and the American programs providing rides to other nations ' astronauts . Twenty - six `` first flights '' occurred on Soviet or Russian flights while the United States carried thirteen . </P>
which country was the first to put a man in space
which country was the first to put a man in space
Soviet Union
Soviet Union