The Soviet Cosmonaut Who Fell From Space

The first man who died in the history of human space missions

Komarov’s wife kissing his portrait during his state funeral. Roscosmos via NPR

On April 24, 1967, Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov crashed into the ground, when he tried to return to Earth from his space mission on Soyuz I.

Unfortunately, the main parachute on his spacecraft capsule failed to open during his landing. And he became the first man to die in the history of human spaceflight missions.

Vladimir Komarov was an intelligent Soviet Cosmonaut. But now he was remembered best for his death title —as “The Man Who Fell From Space.”

The Soyuz I accident happened just 3 months after the Apollo 1 tragedy that killed 3 American astronauts during a launch rehearsal.

Space Race with the United States

It was an anxious space race with the United States. Actually, the Soviets hoped that 1967 —the 50th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and the 10th anniversary of the Sputnik Triumph would be an exceptional year for Soviet space travel.

It was a hasty decision or madness instead of exciting curiosity and passion to explore the space.

The Soyuz 1 launch was rushed by high-ranking Soviet officials who wanted another space achievement for the upcoming…