Viktor Patsayev

Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev (Russian: ?????? ???????? ??????; June 19, 1933, Aktuybinsk ? June 30 1971) was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew on the Soyuz 11 mission and had the unfortunate distinction of being part of the second crew to die during a space flight.

Related Topics:
Russian - June 19 - 1933 - Aktuybinsk - June 30 - 1971 - Soviet - Cosmonaut - Soyuz 11 - Space flight

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After a normal re-entry, the capsule was opened and the crew was found dead. It was discovered that a valve had opened just prior to leaving orbit that had allowed the capsule's atmosphere to vent away into space, suffocating the crew.

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One of Patsayev's hands was found to be bruised, and he may have been trying to shut the valve manually at the time he lost consciousness.

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