USSR 1964 Voskhod 1

Voskhod 1 marked the world’s first multicrew spaceflight. Launched on October 12, 1964, the spacecraft carried Soviet engineer Konstantin Feoktistov and medical doctor Boris Yegorov alongside cosmonaut pilot Vladimir Komarov into outer space.

A Voskhod 1 launch cover with a Tartu postmark dated October 12, 1964.

Photo: Voskhod 1 crew (from left to right) Vladimir Komarov, Boris Yegorov, Konstantin Feoktistov.

A Voskhod 1 KNIGA cover signed by the crew, with stamps issued and canceled on October 19, 1964.

The Voskhod spacecraft was equipped with a solid-fuel braking rocket to ensure a smoother landing. This mission was deemed potentially risky, as the crew did not wear spacesuits, the spacecraft lacked ejection seats, and there was no escape tower for emergencies during launch or landing. Voskhod 1 focused on biomedical research and examined how a multidisciplinary team could collaborate effectively in space.

Photo: Voskhod 1 crew (from left to right) Konstantin Feoktistov, Boris Yegorov, Vladimir Komarov.

A Voskhod 1 launch cover featuring a Silute postmark dated October 12, 1964.

A Voskhod 1 launch cover with a Perm postmark dated October 12, 1964.

Photo: Voskhod 1 crew returned to Earth on October 13, 1964, after their 16-orbit ride in space.

A Voskhod 1 cover featuring a Tartu postmark from the crew's landing day, October 13, 1964.

A Voskhod 1 cover featuring a black special postmark from Kiev, with one of the Voskhod 1 stamps canceled on its release date, October 13, 1964, which coincides with the crew's landing day.

Photo: Boris Yegorov, Vladimir Komarov and Konstantin Feoktistov receiving heroes's welcome by the new leadership of Soviet Union on October 19, 1964.

Voskhod 1 covers featuring the crew members—Vladimir Komarov, Konstantin Feoktistov, and Boris Yegorov—with a special Moscow postmark canceled on October 19, 1964.

Postcards featuring stamps of the Voskhod 1 crew.

Photo: Cosmonauts from the Vostok and Voskhod 1 missions.