The Story Of Sergei Krikalev, Whose Country Disappeared When He Was In Space

Sergei Krikalev blasted off in 1991 for a routine mission to Mir space station. What awaited him, however, was anything but ordinary.

In 1991, veteran cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev undertook a routine mission to the Mir space station, unaware that he was on the brink of witnessing historic events unfold from the extraordinary vantage point of space, according to Medium News.

Krikalev's mission coincided with the Soviet Union's dramatic collapse. As he focused on research and station operations, his home nation was grappling with political and economic turmoil. This upheaval had a surprising consequence: a delayed return for Krikalev, as per the news outlet.

Funding constraints and a disrupted cosmonaut rotation programme meant Krikalev spent an unintended 10 months in space, a record-breaking feat. While the cosmonaut maintained his usual routine onboard Mir, the uncertainty of his return loomed large.