Soyuz 11 — first and only deaths in space

This mission ended in disaster with the loss of all crew members. Their names and stories are remembered here.

After spending 23 days on Salyut 1, cosmonauts Dobrovolski, Volkov and Patsayev die from cabin depressurisation during re-entry — the only humans ever to perish above the Kármán line.

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Venera 7 — first soft landing on another planet

From the same era

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Salyut 1 — first space station

From the same era

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Apollo 15 — first crewed Lunar Roving Vehicle drive

From the same era

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Prospero — Britain's only domestic orbital launch

From the same era