Ep 2. Episode 1

The show "NASA's Unexplained Files" season 1 episode 2 titled "Episode 1" delve into the mysterious deaths of Soviet cosmonauts. The show opens up by telling us that on April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel to space. He circled the Earth once in a journey that lasted 108 minutes, ushering in a new era of space exploration. However, what followed his journey shook the world and impeded space exploration in both Russia and America.

We learn that over the next two decades, the Soviet Union sent more than 100 people to space, including 63 cosmonauts. While most of them returned to Earth, some of them didn't. Their deaths became the biggest mystery of the space race. Hence, in the opening scene of the episode, we see that a mysterious explosion had occurred during the Soyuz 11 mission which killed three cosmonauts: Georgi Dobrovolski, Viktor Patsayev, and Vladislav Volkov.

The episode then progresses to interview Russian space experts and historians to understand what went wrong. They reveal that the Soyuz 11 mission was the first-ever space station mission launched by the Soviet Union. The space station was known as Salyut 1 and was seen as a significant achievement for the Soviet Union. However, the crew of Soyuz 11 soon encountered unexpected problems, and on their return, the trio was found dead inside the shuttle.

The episode then highlights the forensic investigation into the deaths of the three men and how it revealed the cause of their tragic end. We see footage of the investigation process and are introduced to the doctors who were tasked with uncovering what happened to the cosmonauts. The autopsy revealed that the three men died from acute pulmonary edema. The doctors conclude that the air had rapidly escaped from the capsule after the separation of the descent module from the service module. As a result, the astronauts' lungs filled with fluids, causing them to suffocate to death.

The episode then goes on to explore how the deaths of the three cosmonauts impacted the space race, not just in Russia but also in America. We see clips of former NASA astronaut Tom Jones, who explains that the Soviet Union used American technology to build their space program. The episode then highlights how the tragedy of Soyuz 11 led to increased collaboration between the two superpowers in space exploration.

The episode concludes by highlighting that the Soyuz 11 mission proves that space travel is still hazardous, even now. However, it also shows the dedication and resilience of these explorers, who were willing to risk their lives for science.

In conclusion, "NASA's Unexplained Files" season 1 episode 2 titled "Episode 1" sheds light on one of the most significant tragedies in the history of space exploration. The episode is masterfully crafted and presents the facts in a way that grips the audience. It is a testament to the men and women who dared to venture into space and explores the cost that comes with pushing the boundaries of human understanding.