✖ ENTITY 0099 ✖'s Literatures

In November 16th 1961, a Vostok capsule was launched to send another cosmonaut into orbit around Earth before the Americans. The capsule reportedly achieved 17 circuits around the planet before disaster struck when re-entry was attempted.

The cosmonaut was only meant to stay in orbit for just over a day (25.5 hours). However, when re-entry was scheduled to occur, the retrorocket failed with a small explosion; Cracking the heat shield, damaging the hull, and leaving the cosmonaut to naturally decay from orbit. This event would take up to 10 days. However, enough food and oxygen was supplied in case of such an occurrence.