April 19, 2023
Salyut 1 was the world’s first space station which launched on this date in 1971. Salyut 1 was designed for a 6-month mission. In June, Salyut 1 was visited by the Soyuz 11 crew which ended in tragedy as the crew would perish before reentry due to sudden depressurization of their spacecraft.
A photo of Salyut 1, taken by Soyuz 11 as it departed the space station. Image credit: fair use