Yuri Gagarin was worried about sausages before space trip

It has emerged that when Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin was embarking on his pioneering voyage into space 50 years ago, he made sure he had enough sausage to last him on the trip back home to Moscow.

The detail was among more than 700 pages of once-secret material linked to the life and times of the world's first spaceman that were released by Russia ahead of the April 12 anniversary, reports the Telegraph.

The files reveal the conversation Gagarin had while strapped into his capsule with chief rocket designer Sergei Korolyov.

One of Korolyov's biggest worries appeared to be that the would-be hero had enough to eat once he touched down on Earth.

"There in the flap you have dinner, supper and breakfast," Korolyov told Gagarin by radio as the clock ticked down.

"Got it," Gagarin replied.

"You've got sausage, candy and jam to go with the tea. Sixty-three pieces - you'll get fat! When you get back today, eat everything right away," said Korolyov.

Gagarin joked back: "The main thing is that there is sausage - to go with the moonshine."