On June 6, 1971, Soviet cosmonauts Georgi Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev, and Vladislav Volkov launched aboard Soyuz 11, destined for Salyut 1, the world’s first space station. Their mission was to conduct scientific experiments and demonstrate the feasibility of long-term human habitation in space. After 23 days in orbit, they prepared for their return to Earth.
