Phenomenon: The Lost Archives — Season 1, Episode 3: Stolen Glory: The Cover-up of Cosmonaut Vladimir Ilyushin

Episode synopsis

On April 12th, 1961, the Soviet Union reports the successful launch, orbit and reentry of the first man in space, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. With the collapse of communism and the rise of freedom in the Russian Federation, recent access to documents in the Kremlin archives reveal a story intended to remain buried forever. Yuri Gagarin, the icon of triumphant communism known world over, was not the first man in space. Join us for a visit with Vladimir Ilyushin, the unsung hero of the first manned Soviet Space mission.

About Phenomenon: The Lost Archives

A recently unearthed repository of materials formerly classified by the secret government....The Phenomenon Archives. This series covers the taboo subjects which have had light shed on them by pouring over the materials in this repository.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Noah's Ark Found?
• E2Tunguska: The Russian Roswell
• E4Up for Sale
• E5Lost Lighting: The Missing Secrets of Nicola Tesla
• E6Keeping the Faith
• E7Science Fraud: Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?
• E8Genesis Revisited
• E9Irretrievably Lost: The Search for the Savannah Warhead
• E10Monopoly Men
• E11Unknown Encounter
• E12American Midnight
• E13H.A.A.R.P. Holes in Heaven