The Soviet Unions immense investment in space technology was on full display April 5, 1975. The Soyuz 18a mission, a state-backed enterprise, promised another routine success for their program of cosmic development and growth. Cosmonauts Lazarev and Makarov launched as symbols of national ambition and the pinnacle of its technological innovation. Minutes later, the showcase of reliable technology became a terrifying discovery of a critical flaw. A stage separation failure sent them plummeting in

On February 22, 1966, two Soviet space dogs launched on a mission that would set a new record for the longest spaceflight. Discover more space history 👉 https://trib.al/n8zZfG2 Veterok and Ugolyok, whose names translate to "Light Breeze" and "Coal" spent 22 days orbiting the Earth. This record was not surpassed by humans until 1971, and the record has never been surpassed by dogs! The space dogs returned to Earth safe and sound, and their contributions to the Soviet space program helped pave th