Fatalities in Human Fatalities in Human Space FlightSpace Flight

Sheila HopperSheila Hopper

Spaceflight FatalitiesSpaceflight Fatalities

439 individuals have flown on spaceflights: Russia/Soviet 439 individuals have flown on spaceflights: Russia/Soviet Union (96), USA (277), others (66). Twenty-two have Union (96), USA (277), others (66). Twenty-two have died while in a spacecraft: Apollo 1 (3), Soyuz 1 (1), X-died while in a spacecraft: Apollo 1 (3), Soyuz 1 (1), X-15-3 (1), Soyuz 11 (3), Challenger (7), Columbia (7), 15-3 (1), Soyuz 11 (3), Challenger (7), Columbia (7), totaling 18 astronauts (4.1%) and 4 cosmonauts (0.9% of totaling 18 astronauts (4.1%) and 4 cosmonauts (0.9% of all the people launched).all the people launched).

If Apollo 1 and X-15-3 are included as If Apollo 1 and X-15-3 are included as spaceflights, 5% (or 22) of the 439 have spaceflights, 5% (or 22) of the 439 have died on spaceflights. died on spaceflights.

Spaceflight Fatalities In flight accidents have killed 18 astronautsIn flight accidents have killed 18 astronauts Training accidents have claimed at least 11 Training accidents have claimed at least 11

astronauts astronauts Launchpad accidents have killed at least 70 Launchpad accidents have killed at least 70

ground crewground crew About 2% of the manned launch/reentry About 2% of the manned launch/reentry

attempts have killed their crewattempts have killed their crew About 5% of the people that have been launched About 5% of the people that have been launched

have died doing sohave died doing so

Cosmonaut FatalitiesCosmonaut Fatalities The Soviet/Russian program has had two fatal The Soviet/Russian program has had two fatal

missions for a total of four in-flight fatalities. missions for a total of four in-flight fatalities. One (Soyuz 1, 1967) due to parachute failure One (Soyuz 1, 1967) due to parachute failure

during landing (there were other problems, but during landing (there were other problems, but this was the fatal failure), and the other this was the fatal failure), and the other (Soyuz 11, 1971) when a valve stuck open (Soyuz 11, 1971) when a valve stuck open during separation of the descent module during separation of the descent module during reentryduring reentry

Of all fatal spaceflights by any country (as of Of all fatal spaceflights by any country (as of 2006), only the crew of Soyuz 11 actually died 2006), only the crew of Soyuz 11 actually died in space.in space.

In addition, the Soviet program suffered 2 In addition, the Soviet program suffered 2 mission-ending launch aborts that were mission-ending launch aborts that were potentially fatal.potentially fatal.

In-flight AccidentsIn-flight AccidentsThere have been five fatal in-flight accidents. In each case all crew were killed.There have been five fatal in-flight accidents. In each case all crew were killed. April 24, 1967: parachute failure:April 24, 1967: parachute failure: Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir KomarovKomarov died on board Soyuz 1. His one-day mission had been died on board Soyuz 1. His one-day mission had been plagued by a series of mishaps with the new type of spacecraft, plagued by a series of mishaps with the new type of spacecraft, which ended by the capsule's parachute not opening after which ended by the capsule's parachute not opening after reentry. Komarov was killed when the capsule hit the ground. reentry. Komarov was killed when the capsule hit the ground.

1967 Nov 15: 1967 Nov 15: control failurecontrol failure: Michael J Adams.: Michael J Adams.Adams died while piloting a suborbital spaceflight in a rocket plane. MajorAdams died while piloting a suborbital spaceflight in a rocket plane. Major

Adams was a U.S. Air Force pilot in the NASA/USAF X-15 program. Adams was a U.S. Air Force pilot in the NASA/USAF X-15 program. During X-15 Flight 191, his seventh flight, the plane first had an During X-15 Flight 191, his seventh flight, the plane first had an electrical problem and then developed control problems. The pilot may electrical problem and then developed control problems. The pilot may also have become disoriented. During reentry from 266,000 ft, the X-15 also have become disoriented. During reentry from 266,000 ft, the X-15 yawed sideways out of control and went into a spin at a speed of Mach yawed sideways out of control and went into a spin at a speed of Mach 5, from which the pilot never recovered. 5, from which the pilot never recovered.

Whether or not the incident technically Whether or not the incident technically

counts as a "spaceflight accident" can becounts as a "spaceflight accident" can be

disputed, given that the flight fell short disputed, given that the flight fell short

of the internationally recognized 100 of the internationally recognized 100

km boundary of space. km boundary of space.

1971 June 30: 1971 June 30: crew exposed to vacuum of spacecrew exposed to vacuum of space  ::The crew of Soyuz 11, Georgi Dobrovolski, Viktor Patsayev andThe crew of Soyuz 11, Georgi Dobrovolski, Viktor Patsayev and

Vladislav Volkov, were killed after undocking from space stationVladislav Volkov, were killed after undocking from space station

Salyut after a three-week stay. A valve on their spacecraft had Salyut after a three-week stay. A valve on their spacecraft had accidentally opened when the service module separated, letting accidentally opened when the service module separated, letting their air leak out into space. The capsule reentered and landed their air leak out into space. The capsule reentered and landed normally, and their deaths were only discovered when it was normally, and their deaths were only discovered when it was opened by the recovery team. opened by the recovery team.

1986 January 28: 1986 January 28: spacecraft broke spacecraft broke apart on takeoffapart on takeoff: :

The first U.S. in-flight fatalities. The Space Shuttle The first U.S. in-flight fatalities. The Space Shuttle ChallengerChallenger was destroyed 73 seconds was destroyed 73 seconds after launch. after launch. ChallengerChallenger was thrown sideways into the Mach 1.8 windstream causing it to was thrown sideways into the Mach 1.8 windstream causing it to break up in midair with the loss of all seven crew members aboard: Greg Jarvis, Christa break up in midair with the loss of all seven crew members aboard: Greg Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Michael J. Smith, and Dick McAuliffe, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Michael J. Smith, and Dick Scobee. NASA investigators determined they may have survived the initial explosion but, Scobee. NASA investigators determined they may have survived the initial explosion but, became possibly unconscious from anoxia, were killed when the largely intact cockpit hit became possibly unconscious from anoxia, were killed when the largely intact cockpit hit the water at 200 mph. the water at 200 mph.

2003 February 1: 2003 February 1: spacecraft broke apart on re-entryspacecraft broke apart on re-entry: :

The space shuttle The space shuttle ColumbiaColumbia was lost as it reentered after a two-week mission, STS-107. was lost as it reentered after a two-week mission, STS-107. Damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system led to structural failure in the Damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system led to structural failure in the shuttle's left wing and, ultimately, the spacecraft breaking apart. Investigations after the shuttle's left wing and, ultimately, the spacecraft breaking apart. Investigations after the tragedy revealed the damage to the reinforced carbon-carbon leading edge wing panel tragedy revealed the damage to the reinforced carbon-carbon leading edge wing panel had resulted from a piece of insulation foam breaking away from the external tank had resulted from a piece of insulation foam breaking away from the external tank during the launch and hitting shuttle's wing. Rick D. Husband, William McCool, Michael during the launch and hitting shuttle's wing. Rick D. Husband, William McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel B. Clark, and Ilan Ramon were P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel B. Clark, and Ilan Ramon were killed.killed.

Training Accidents Training Accidents 1961 March 23: 1961 March 23: fire on boardfire on board: First space-: First space-

related casualty. Valentin Bondarenko related casualty. Valentin Bondarenko was in training in a special low-pressure was in training in a special low-pressure chamber with a pure oxygen atmosphere. chamber with a pure oxygen atmosphere. He accidentally dropped an alcohol-He accidentally dropped an alcohol-soaked cloth onto an electric hotplate. In soaked cloth onto an electric hotplate. In the pure oxygen environment, the fire the pure oxygen environment, the fire quickly engulfed the entire chamber. quickly engulfed the entire chamber. Bondarenko was barely alive when the Bondarenko was barely alive when the chamber was opened, and died of his chamber was opened, and died of his burns shortly after being hospitalized. At burns shortly after being hospitalized. At the time of the accident, Bondarenko's the time of the accident, Bondarenko's death had been covered up by the Soviet death had been covered up by the Soviet government and was not known about in government and was not known about in the U.S. Many materials become the U.S. Many materials become explosively flammable in pure oxygen; explosively flammable in pure oxygen; modern spacecraft use mixtures of modern spacecraft use mixtures of continuously replaced oxygen and continuously replaced oxygen and nitrogen. It has been speculated that nitrogen. It has been speculated that knowledge of Bondarenko's death might knowledge of Bondarenko's death might have led to changes that would have have led to changes that would have prevented the Apollo 1 fire. prevented the Apollo 1 fire.

1964 October 31: 1964 October 31: birdstrikebirdstrike: :

Theodore Freeman was killed when a Theodore Freeman was killed when a goose smashed through the cockpit goose smashed through the cockpit canopy of his T-38 jet trainer. Flying canopy of his T-38 jet trainer. Flying shards of Plexiglas entered the shards of Plexiglas entered the engine intake and caused the engine intake and caused the engine to flameout. Freeman engine to flameout. Freeman ejected from the stricken aircraft, but ejected from the stricken aircraft, but was too close to the ground for his was too close to the ground for his

parachute to open properly.parachute to open properly.

1966, 28 February: 1966, 28 February: crash on crash on landinglanding: :

The Gemini 9 crew, Elliott See and The Gemini 9 crew, Elliott See and

Charles Bassett, were killed while Charles Bassett, were killed while

attempting to land their T-38 in bad attempting to land their T-38 in bad

weather. See misjudged his weather. See misjudged his approach and crashed into the approach and crashed into the McDonnell aircraft factory. McDonnell aircraft factory.

1967 January 27: 1967 January 27: Fire OnboardFire Onboard

A fire claimed the lives of the Apollo 1 crew as they A fire claimed the lives of the Apollo 1 crew as they trained in their capsule. An electrical fault sparked the trained in their capsule. An electrical fault sparked the blaze that spread quickly in a pure oxygen atmosphere, blaze that spread quickly in a pure oxygen atmosphere, killing Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. killing Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee.

1967 October 5: 1967 October 5: controls failedcontrols failed: : Clifton Williams died after a Clifton Williams died after a mechanical failure caused his T-38's mechanical failure caused his T-38's controls to stop responding. He had controls to stop responding. He had been assigned to the back-up crew been assigned to the back-up crew for what would be the Apollo 9 for what would be the Apollo 9 mission and would have most likely mission and would have most likely been assigned as Lunar Module been assigned as Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 12. The Apollo 12 pilot for Apollo 12. The Apollo 12 mission patch has four stars on it: mission patch has four stars on it: one each for the three astronauts one each for the three astronauts who flew the mission and one for who flew the mission and one for Williams. Williams.

1967, 8 December: 1967, 8 December: plane crashplane crash: : Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr. was Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr. was named the first African-American named the first African-American astronaut for the U.S. Air Force astronaut for the U.S. Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory Manned Orbiting Laboratory program, but he never made it into program, but he never made it into space. He died when his F-104 space. He died when his F-104 Starfighter jet crashed at Edwards Starfighter jet crashed at Edwards

Air Force Base, California.Air Force Base, California.

1968 March 27: 1968 March 27: Plane CrashPlane Crash First man in space Yuri Gagarin died when his MiG-15 jet trainer crashed First man in space Yuri Gagarin died when his MiG-15 jet trainer crashed

while he prepared for the Soyuz 3 mission. An official report at the time while he prepared for the Soyuz 3 mission. An official report at the time blamed either birdstrike or that he turned too fast to avoid something in the blamed either birdstrike or that he turned too fast to avoid something in the air. But in 2003 it came out that the KGB had found that the official report air. But in 2003 it came out that the KGB had found that the official report was false and that the truth was negligence by an airforce colonel on the was false and that the truth was negligence by an airforce colonel on the ground, who gave an out-of-date weather report; the flight ground, who gave an out-of-date weather report; the flight needed good weather, but the cloud base was needed good weather, but the cloud base was nearly at ground level. Since Gagarin was a hero nearly at ground level. Since Gagarin was a hero the soviet propaganda engine at that time found the soviet propaganda engine at that time found it bad publicity to have him killed in a mere it bad publicity to have him killed in a mere training accident and so several newspapers training accident and so several newspapers printed the report that he actually died heroically printed the report that he actually died heroically testing a top-secret prototype. This again led to testing a top-secret prototype. This again led to speculation amongst western conspiracy-proponents speculation amongst western conspiracy-proponents whether Gagarin had not died in hushed-up whether Gagarin had not died in hushed-up spacecraft accident.spacecraft accident.

Ground crew and On-ground Ground crew and On-ground Civilian fatalities Civilian fatalities

1964: While technicians worked on the Orbiting Solar Observatory, in 1964: While technicians worked on the Orbiting Solar Observatory, in an assembly room at Cape Canaveral, a Delta rockets third-stage an assembly room at Cape Canaveral, a Delta rockets third-stage motor had just been mated to the spacecraft in preparation for some motor had just been mated to the spacecraft in preparation for some prelaunch tests. Suddenly the rocket ignited, filling the workroom with prelaunch tests. Suddenly the rocket ignited, filling the workroom with searing hot gases, burning 11 engineers and technicians, 3 of them searing hot gases, burning 11 engineers and technicians, 3 of them fatally. An investigation following the accident showed that a spark of fatally. An investigation following the accident showed that a spark of static electricity had probably set off the fuse that ignited the solid static electricity had probably set off the fuse that ignited the solid propellant. propellant.

1973: Nine technicians were killed in a launch pad accident at 1973: Nine technicians were killed in a launch pad accident at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

1980: 48 technicians were killed by an explosion while fueling a 1980: 48 technicians were killed by an explosion while fueling a Vostok-2M booster at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. Vostok-2M booster at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

1981: During preparations for STS-1, at the end of the 33-hour-long 1981: During preparations for STS-1, at the end of the 33-hour-long Shuttle Dry Countdown Demonstration Test, Columbia's aft engine Shuttle Dry Countdown Demonstration Test, Columbia's aft engine compartment was under a nitrogen purge to prevent the buildup of compartment was under a nitrogen purge to prevent the buildup of oxygen and hydrogen gases from the propulsion system. Six oxygen and hydrogen gases from the propulsion system. Six technicians entered the aft engine compartment and five of the six lost technicians entered the aft engine compartment and five of the six lost consciousness due to the lack of oxygen in the compartment. Two consciousness due to the lack of oxygen in the compartment. Two died. John Gerald Bjornstad, a 50-year-old Rockwell employee, was died. John Gerald Bjornstad, a 50-year-old Rockwell employee, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Forrest Cole was brought to the pronounced dead at the scene, and Forrest Cole was brought to the hospital where he later died. hospital where he later died.

Ground crew and On-ground Ground crew and On-ground Civilian fatalitiesCivilian fatalities

1995: The European Space Agency (ESA) lost two workers in a 1995: The European Space Agency (ESA) lost two workers in a fatal accident at the Kourou Space Centre, Guiana, at the Ariane 5 fatal accident at the Kourou Space Centre, Guiana, at the Ariane 5 launch facility. Luc Celle and Jean-Claude Dhainaut lost their lives launch facility. Luc Celle and Jean-Claude Dhainaut lost their lives during an inspection in the umbilical mast of the launchpad. A later during an inspection in the umbilical mast of the launchpad. A later report said, "...the cause of death was asphyxiation through report said, "...the cause of death was asphyxiation through inhalation of air having an excessively low oxygen content; the inhalation of air having an excessively low oxygen content; the reduced oxygen content was due to a major nitrogen leak into the reduced oxygen content was due to a major nitrogen leak into the confined structure of the umbilical mast on the launch table; the confined structure of the umbilical mast on the launch table; the nitrogen leak originated in a nitrogen/iced-water exchanger, whose nitrogen leak originated in a nitrogen/iced-water exchanger, whose drainage plug was found to be missing." drainage plug was found to be missing."

1996: A Long March 3B rocket veered off course two seconds after 1996: A Long March 3B rocket veered off course two seconds after takeoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, crashing into a nearby takeoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, crashing into a nearby village. The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that 80 homes village. The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that 80 homes had been damaged with six people killed and 57 injured, but had been damaged with six people killed and 57 injured, but unofficial reports and videotape from people who visited the scene unofficial reports and videotape from people who visited the scene suggested much greater devastation and a significantly higher death suggested much greater devastation and a significantly higher death toll. toll.

2001: Boeing worker Bill Brooks was killed in an industrial 2001: Boeing worker Bill Brooks was killed in an industrial accident at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 37. He was a accident at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 37. He was a crane operator involved in construction of the new Delta IV crane operator involved in construction of the new Delta IV launch complex. The Delta IV launch site is being built at the launch complex. The Delta IV launch site is being built at the location of the old Saturn IB launch complex. location of the old Saturn IB launch complex.

2002: A Soyuz U carrying a science payload began 2002: A Soyuz U carrying a science payload began disintegrating 20 seconds after launch from Plesetsk, disintegrating 20 seconds after launch from Plesetsk, exploded nine seconds later and showered debris around the exploded nine seconds later and showered debris around the launch site. The explosion killed 20-year-old soldier Ivan launch site. The explosion killed 20-year-old soldier Ivan Marchenko, who had been watching the launch from behind a Marchenko, who had been watching the launch from behind a large glass window in a processing facility a kilometer from large glass window in a processing facility a kilometer from the launchpad. Eight other soldiers who were with Marchenko the launchpad. Eight other soldiers who were with Marchenko were injured, six being hospitalized. Rocket fragments fell in were injured, six being hospitalized. Rocket fragments fell in the woods in the same area starting a forest fire, and a Block the woods in the same area starting a forest fire, and a Block D strap-on booster which came off during disintegration D strap-on booster which came off during disintegration impacted the launchpad, causing structural damage. impacted the launchpad, causing structural damage.

2003: An unmanned rocket set to carry two satellites into orbit 2003: An unmanned rocket set to carry two satellites into orbit exploded on its launchpad in Brazil killing 21 technicians. exploded on its launchpad in Brazil killing 21 technicians.

American astronauts that have lost their lives in the line of duty are American astronauts that have lost their lives in the line of duty are memorialized by the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space memorialized by the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida. Cosmonauts that Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida. Cosmonauts that have died in the line of duty in the Soviet Union were generally have died in the line of duty in the Soviet Union were generally honored by burial at the Kremlin Wall Necropolis in Moscow. It is honored by burial at the Kremlin Wall Necropolis in Moscow. It is unknown whether this remains tradition for Russia, since the unknown whether this remains tradition for Russia, since the Kremlin Wall Necropolis was largely a Communist honor and no Kremlin Wall Necropolis was largely a Communist honor and no cosmonauts have died in action since the Union fell. cosmonauts have died in action since the Union fell.

Fallen Astronaut

aluminum sculpture of an astronaut in a spacesuit. It is the only piece of art on the Moon. In 1971, Fallen Astronaut was placed on the Moon by the crew of Apollo 15, along with a plaque bearing the names of fourteen American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts who died during spaceflights or training exercises.

Work CitedWork Cited

McNamara, Bernard. McNamara, Bernard. Into the Final Frontier: The Human Into the Final Frontier: The Human Exploration of SpaceExploration of Space. Brooks Cole, 2000. Brooks Cole, 2000

““Space Disaster”Space Disaster” Wilkpedia Wilkpedia (2006): August 1, 2006 (2006): August 1, 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_disastershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_disasters