On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
April 19
Salyut
Mission
Salyut
Series
Soviet space program
Venue
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh SSR
Date
April 19, 1971
Agency
Soviet space program
Nickname
Salyut 1, the first space station, is launched
Crew
Vladimir Chelomey

Salyut 1, the first space station, is launched

The Soviet Union launched Salyut 1, the world's first space station, into low Earth orbit. It pioneered long-duration orbital habitation, though its first visiting crew from Soyuz 11 tragically died during their return to Earth.

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