Soviet cosmonaut who flew on two space missions, including the first-ever spacewalk, and spent over 20 days in space. Known for his bravery and pioneering achievements in space exploration.
Ivan Nikolayevich Anikeyev, a Soviet cosmonaut, is infamously known for being dismissed from the Soviet space program due to disciplinary reasons, a decision that would change the trajectory of his life forever. Born on February 12, 1933, Anikeyev was part of the original 20 cosmonauts selected on March 7, 1960, alongside Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space.
Anikeyev's career in the space program was marked by controversy. On March 27, 1963, Anikeyev, Grigory Nelyubov, and Valentin Filatyev were arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct by a military patrol at Chkalovsky station. Although the officers were willing to dismiss the incident if the cosmonauts apologized, Nelyubov refused, leading to their eventual dismissal from the cosmonaut corps on April 17, 1963.
To protect the image of the space program, the reasons for Anikeyev's dismissal were covered up, and his image was airbrushed out of cosmonaut photos. This led to speculation about "lost cosmonauts," with many believing that those who disappeared from the program had been lost during space missions. In reality, the reasons for their dismissal were often mundane, as was the case with Anikeyev.
Despite his dismissal from the space program, Anikeyev continued to face challenges. Alexei Leonov recounts a story where Anikeyev's car was stolen, resulting in the thief hitting and killing a pedestrian. The thief then returned the keys to Anikeyev's pocket, leading to Anikeyev being sent to prison for a year before being released due to his innocence. This incident marked a turning point in Anikeyev's life, as he was never given the chance to fly again.
Ivan Anikeyev's story serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of the Soviet space program and the fragility of human ambition. Although he never completed a space mission, his legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that even the brightest stars can fade prematurely.
92 Years Old
The first human to journey into outer space, paving the way for space exploration and inspiring generations to reach for the stars. A hero and a pioneer in the field of cosmonautics.
Born in 1907
A pioneering rocket engineer and designer who played a crucial role in the Soviet space program, developing the R-7 rocket that launched Sputnik and sent humans into space.
92 Years Old
A Soviet spaceman who became the first human to walk in space during the 1965 Voskhod 2 mission, paving the way for future space exploration.
95 Years Old
A pioneering cosmonaut who flew on two space missions, including the first simultaneous spaceflight with another spacecraft, and later became a prominent military leader. He played a crucial role in the development of the Soviet space program.
97 Years Old
A Soviet space pioneer who flew on the Vostok 3 mission in 1962, becoming the third person in space and setting a record for the longest solo spaceflight at the time.
89 Years Old
First woman in space, completing 48 orbits of the Earth in 1963, paving the way for future female astronauts.
91 Years Old
A highly decorated Russian military pilot and cosmonaut who flew on several space missions, including a record-breaking 365-day stay on the Mir space station. He's a hero in Russia, celebrated for his bravery and endurance.
88 Years Old
Russian physician and astronaut who became the first doctor in space, conducting medical experiments on the Soviet Union's Voskhod 1 mission in 1964. He paved the way for future space medicine research.
