On this day in space! Oct. 12, 1964: The Soviet Union launches Voskhod 1, the 1st multi-person cosmonaut crew, into space

On October 12, 1964, the Soviet Union successfully executed the launch of Voskhod 1, marking a pivotal moment in early space exploration history. This ambitious mission represented the first time multiple individuals – specifically three cosmonauts – had ventured into orbit aboard a spacecraft. The flight itself lasted approximately 24 hours, establishing a new benchmark for sustained human presence outside Earth’s atmosphere. During this historic endeavor, the crew conducted scientific experiments and performed observations, contributing valuable data to burgeoning research efforts. Furthermore, Voskhod 1 demonstrated the feasibility of accommodating more than one astronaut within a rapidly developing space vehicle, paving the way for future multi-person missions.