Yes, astronauts have tragically lost their lives during spaceflight.
During spaceflight activities, accidents have resulted in the deaths of astronauts and cosmonauts. Specifically, 19 astronauts and cosmonauts have died in five separate incidents directly related to spaceflight. These fatalities highlight the inherent risks associated with space exploration.
Here's a breakdown:
- In-Flight Accidents: These events occurred during active space missions.
- Total Fatalities: 15 astronauts and 4 cosmonauts.
- Number of Incidents: 5 separate incidents.
- Altitude: In three of the accidents, the flights had passed the Kármán line (generally considered the edge of space). One accident occurred on a flight intended to cross this boundary.
It's important to note that in each of these incidents, the entire crew perished.
