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Soyuz 11 crew before launch, 1971
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Soyuz 11 crew before launch, 1971
Soyuz 11 crew before launch. Soviet cosmonauts (left to right) Georgy Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev and Vladislav Volkov at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, before their flight into orbit in the Soyuz 11 spacecraft. Dobrovolsky was the spacecraft commander, Patsayev was the test engineer and Volkov was the flight engineer. Soyuz 11 went disastrously wrong. The crew spent 23 days onboard Salyut 1 space station. On re-entry there was a leak in the descent module. When it landed the crew were found asphyxiated due to the loss of gas from their atmosphere. Following this, Soyuz crews were reduced to two so that there was room for them to wear space suits on take-off and landing. Photographed on 23 June 1971
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Media ID 6456987
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1900s 1970s 1971 Astronaut Astronauts Baikonur Baikonur Cosmodrome Commander Cosmodrome Cosmonaut Cosmonauts Crew Death Fatal Flight June Kazakhstan Killed Manned Spaceflight Officer Preparing Program Programme Red Army Russian Soviet Soviet Union Soyuz Space Flight Space Race Thirties Twenties Uniform Uss R Young Flight Engineer Mono Chrome
EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant print captures the Soyuz 11 crew moments before their ill-fated launch in 1971. The three Soviet cosmonauts, Georgy Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev, and Vladislav Volkov, stand side by side at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Each man plays a crucial role in this historic mission: Dobrovolsky as spacecraft commander, Patsayev as test engineer, and Volkov as flight engineer. Little did they know that tragedy awaited them in space. After spending an impressive 23 days aboard the Salyut 1 space station, their return to Earth turned disastrous. A leak occurred in the descent module during re-entry, resulting in a devastating loss of gas from their atmosphere. When the Soyuz capsule finally landed on solid ground, it became apparent that all three crew members had tragically perished due to asphyxiation. The devastating outcome of this mission led to significant changes within the Soviet space program. Subsequent Soyuz crews were reduced to two members so that both astronauts could wear spacesuits during take-off and landing for added safety precautions. This historical snapshot serves as a somber reminder of the risks and sacrifices associated with manned spaceflight during this era. It immortalizes these brave individuals who dedicated themselves to pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territories beyond our planet's atmosphere.
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