Vladimir Komarov’s death: The cosmonaut who fell from space
The Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov died a tragic and heroic death during the re-entry of the Soyuz 1 space capsule.
“This devil ship! Nothing I lay my hands on works properly.”
— Vladimir Komarov
Vladimir Komarov, born on March 16, 1927, in Russia, was a pioneering figure in space exploration. He is best known as the first person to travel into space twice. Komarov’s first spaceflight was as the Commander of Voskhod 1.
Before his space adventures, Komarov had a distinguished career as a test pilot, which demonstrated his exceptional skills. In 1960, he was selected to be part of the first group of cosmonauts, joining notable figures like Yuri Gagarin.
Personal life
Valentina Yakovlevna, his wife, and their two children, Yevgeny and Irina, survived Komarov.
How did Vladimir Komarov die?
On that fateful day, the Soyuz 1 space capsule experienced a failure during re-entry due to a series of technical malfunctions, resulting in a catastrophic crash. At the age of 40, Georgi Komarov tragically lost his life on April 24, 1967, in the Adamovsky District of Russia. This incident is recorded as an aviation accident and marks a somber chapter in the history of space exploration.
Komarov’s final resting place is in Moscow, Russia, where he is honored as a hero of the Soviet Union. The extensive investigation that followed his death led to significant advancements in space travel, highlighting the critical need for stringent safety protocols.
The charred remains of Komarov in an “open casket” is a gruesome sight.
The Russian State Archive states his final words were “I feel excellent, everything’s in order.” The 2011 history book Starman: The Truth Behind the Legend of Yuri Gagarin paints a grimmer and perhaps more believable picture, claiming his final words were, “This devil ship! Nothing I lay my hands on works properly.”