The Soviet Cosmonaut Who Knew He Would Die

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]In 1967, a Soviet cosmonaut climbed into a spacecraft he knew would kill him.

[00:00:05]Vladimir Komarov wasn't suicidal. He was trying to save his best friend's life.

[00:00:10]The Soyuz 1 was a death trap. Engineers had found over 200 critical flaws. The parachute system was faulty. The heat shields were defective, but Soviet officials refused to delay. They needed a propaganda victory for the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

[00:00:26]Komarov volunteered because he knew the backup pilot was Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, a national hero. If Komarov refused, they'd send Gagarin instead. As Soyuz 1 tumbled out of control, Komarov's final radio transmission was picked up by listening posts. He wasn't praying. He wasn't crying. He was screaming curses at the Soviet officials who'd sent him to die.

[00:00:48]When the main parachute failed, Komarov hit the ground at over 300 mph. His remains were so charred that only his heel bone could be identified. The Soviets covered it up for decades.