Soviet cosmonaut who was the first human to die during a space mission. On his second flight, Soyuz 1, he was killed during a return, when the spacecraft crashed due to failure of the parachute. Just before impact, the then-premier Kosygin told Komarov his country was proud of him. An American NSA listening post in Istanbul noted Komarov's reply was inaudible, though persistent rumors stated that Komarov died cursing the spacecraft designers and flight controllers. Since the the death of Komarov it has emerged that the Soyuz 1 space flight had been dogged by problems from the beginning, and that the craft was not ready for manned flight. Vintage 5.75 x 4 postcard photo of a group of cosmonauts, signed by Komarov in purple ink. In fine condition. R&R COA.
