Komarov?
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First astronaut, who died in space: Soyuz -1
But have any astronauts died in space, not in training? Sadly, yes. Vladimir Komarov was the first astronaut who died directly in space. This was the first mission of the Soviet Soyuz-1 spacecraft on 23rd April 1967. Komarov was supposed to test the ship in manned mode and conduct the world’s first docking in space with another Soyuz-2 spacecraft. The mission also involved the transition of two Soyuz-2 astronauts through outer space to Soyuz-1. However, the plan never succeeded, and Komarov became the first astronaut lost in space.
Gone with the space: astronauts lost in space forever - Orbital Today
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Oh yes.
Fact checked cause I didn’t set the rules.
But he died on impact according to your link.
Laika died in space. This is what I meant.
The Soyuz 11 cosmonauts definitely died in space though, didn’t they?
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Using link above.
"On 29th June, Soyuz-11 successfully undocked and began deorbiting. However, shortly after the separation from the ship, communication with the astronaut crew was interrupted. The descent vehicle landed successfully in the assigned area, but the rescue team found the astronauts dead.
It was found that astronaut death occurred as a result of depressurisation and abrupt onset of decompression sickness. The astronauts tried to eliminate the air leak; however, in the extreme conditions of the fog that filled the cabin after depressurisation, severe pain throughout the body and lost hearing due to burst eardrums, the astronauts did not immediately establish the cause of the leak and simply did not have enough time to save themselves. "
Yes.
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Pffft.
Take it to the off-the-world news thread.
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“In 1923, famed mountaineer George Mallory uttered one of the most famous quotes of all time when asked why he was attempting to summit Mount Everest. “Because it’s there ,” he said. Mallory disappeared on Everest the following year, and to this day, no one knows if he ever made it to the top before his demise.”
Seriously, balls the size of coconuts. " I say old chap, fancy a spot of climbing in Tibet next week? Jolly good, tally ho then. Iriving, well he’s not really a climber- but a strapping young lad, and in the coxless 4’s at Oxford!"
In a time where it could be said ambition was far outweighing ability/technology, I can only admire and wonder at what made people like this tick.
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Similar to Lawrence Oates and his suicide by blizzard. On his 32nd birthday.
“I am just going outside and may be some time.”
*Scott’s Antarctic expedition for those unfamiliar.
There are always those drawn to the severe, and exploration of the unknown.
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Ernst shakelton and him getting the endurance frozen in Antarctica and his journey back home always completely dumbfounds me.
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Big day for mountaineering news…
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I have been to Nepal twice. the first time was in July 1977, the wrong season/time of year for trekking. The second time was in January 2000. Both times l have gone to the Annapurna region. Annapurna is 4 mountains, 1, 2, 3 and South. In the middle of them is Machapuchare (spellings may differ). It is often called the Matterhorn of The Himalayas, only it has two peaks and at 6997 metres is some 1500 metres higher than the Matterhorn. However it is considerably smaller than any of the Annapurna peaks, although it looks like the jewel in the Annapurna crown. The name means fish tail in Nepalese, and it has never been climbed. Apparently a team of Japanese climbers attempted it around 1997, and ominously their bodies have been recovered. It remains my favourite mountain. When l was able to trek there in 2000, l watched ice crystals being blown off the peak to form instant clouds.
Machapuchare
Mountain
Machapuchare, Machhapuchchhre or Machhapuchhre, is a mountain situated in the Annapurna massif of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal. Wikipedia
- Location: North Central Nepal
- Latitude: 28.495
- Longitude: 83.949165
- Mountain Range: Annapurna Himalayas
- First Ascent: Unclimbed
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The report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory , including East Jerusalem and Israel, is hard reading.
It addresses Israel attacks on health facilities , treatment of civilians, including detainees, together with the treatment of Israeli hostages and causes of death of some hostages.
The report finds that Israel and Palestine armed groups were responsible for torture and sexual and gender based violence. It also finds that Israel has conducted a concerted policy to destroy Gaza’s healthcare system,
It applies the same factual evidence based and legal methodology as that of the report on human rights abuses in the Russia Ukraine War.
Referencing the ICJ ruling, the report concludes that there is evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The report will be considered at the UNGA session on 20 October.
The report, available in English, French and Hebrew, is available on the OHCHR site in summary and in full ( Document A/79/232)
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Iran 
suspects that the IRGC officer who interrogated Esmail Qaani (Head of IRGC Quds Forces) on suspicion of being an Israeli 
agent, and caused him to suffer a heart attack, is the real Israeli agent. He is now being interrogated by another IRGC officer.
Latest reporting from the UN is that only 2 weeks of food supplies remain in northern Gaza. The only border entry is closed and because of internal restrictions on movement, UN and NGO supplies cannot be moved from other storages in Gaza.
Additionally, the supply of bread is limited because few bakeries remain operational in the area.
Unless there are improvements, many civilians, including children could die of starvation.
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German MPs have been active in proposing amendments to laws covering the judiciary, to protect it from being captured by the far right if it gains government.
Proposals include maximum number of judges, fixed terms and statutory retirement ages.
Maybe learning a lesson from the US Supreme Court, where the Constitution doesn’t guarantee a non partisan or balanced judiciary
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I did the Everest base camp trek in 2016, brought my EFC scarf to the monument there.
Nepal is a wonderful place and the people, especially the Sherpas, are incredibly friendly. The entire trip remains one of my fondest memories, I recommend it to anyone with the means and ability.
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Is Limited World War III Imminent
12 October 2024
Tensions rise as flashpoints and chokepoints threaten global stability amid geopolitical turmoil
Recent developments across various global regions have sparked speculation about the possibility of what some analysts are calling a Limited World War III (L-WW3). Unlike full-scale wars of the past, the scenario outlined by experts suggests conflicts might erupt without the all-out destruction typically associated with global warfare.
According to Mathew Maavak, who delves deeply within this narrative, the potential for L-WW3 is driven by flashpoints, chokepoints, and high-value targets rather than massive military confrontations. Tensions worldwide are simmering, particularly between major powers, as regional conflicts, cyber warfare, and proxy battles could ignite rapidly.
One pressing flashpoint is the rising hostility between Israel and Iran. Tensions escalated significantly on October 1, 2024, when Iran launched nearly 200 hypersonic missiles at select Israeli targets. This dramatic action came as retaliation for what many described as the genocide occurring in Gaza, targeted assassinations of key Iranian military figures, and destabilizing attacks on groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The situation is precarious; significant military responses are on hold, with Israeli officials taking their time to strategize and assess the support they might receive from the U.S. political scene, especially with the presidential elections approaching. They are wary of how incoming U.S. leadership could affect their military actions against Iran.
The conflict isn’t limited to the Middle East. Ukraine remains another hotspot ripe for escalation. With Russia likely to solidify its military objectives within Ukraine prior to the inauguration of the next U.S. President, analysts warn of the dangers posed by neglecting this front. If Russia captures significant territories like the Donbas region and the Odesa oblast, Ukraine could find itself entirely landlocked, drastically altering the regional power dynamics.
Countries like North Korea and China are anticipated to act cautiously, biding their time and avoiding significant engagement until they assess the developments stemming from the Middle Eastern situation. While North Korea may launch missiles provocatively over Japan, and China might pursue aggressive naval maneuvers, both nation-states seem unlikely to ignite immediate flashpoints of their own until the broader geopolitical picture becomes clearer.
Next, we have the current maritime chokepoints considered as pivotal locations likely to be central to any L-WW3. These key areas are integral not just for military navigation but for global trade—impeding operations at these points could create economic upheaval and drastically shift power balances.
For example, take the Strait of Hormuz: it’s not just another waterway; it facilitates 20-30% of the global oil supply. Should Iran decide to disrupt traffic here, the ripple effects could lead to heightened global fuel prices, hyperinflation, and economic instability. This potential disruption could be realized with relative ease, as Iran has previously hinted at military interventions like sinkings or blockades.
Also critically important is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Attacks by Houthi militias have already posed threats to merchant vessels transiting this region, complicate shipping routes dramatically and impacting broader global trade.
The Suez Canal, connecting Europe and Asia, is also at risk should maritime operations falter. Iran has been suspected of using its proxy forces like Hamas to target shipping routes, and any serious conflict could disrupt this strategic avenue, cutting off one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Shifting focus to Asia, the Strait of Malacca plays host to 25% of global maritime cargo and is seen as another major chokepoint. It is of immense importance to economies dependent on oil shipped from the Middle East. Any threats here could cause immediate crises for countries like China and Japan, which rely heavily on maritime links for energy supplies.
The South China Sea is another contested area rife with territorial disputes, especially between China and neighboring nations. Given the increasing assertiveness of China, tensions could flare anytime against the backdrop of U.S. naval patrols supporting regional allies.
Let’s not forget the Taiwan Strait, which has become increasingly strained as China eyes reunification with Taiwan. A conflict here could stretch U.S. military resources thin, particularly if attempts to stabilize the Iranian situation compel American forces to stay on alert elsewhere.
With these pressing conflicts on the horizon, experts also warn of the revival of nuclear tensions reminiscent of the Cold War. Following Russia’s military actions against Ukraine, the environment has become palpably tenser. The capabilities of nuclear arsenals have seen significant advancements since earlier decades. With the U.S. and its counterparts like Russia and China adopting more aggressive postures, the prospect of simultaneous nuclear confrontations is more tangible than it has been for generations.
Despite the fears of escalation, some analysts, like Thomas Schelling, have wrote about deterrent systems aimed at preventing all-out nuclear wars. He noted the balance of power during the Cold War was maintained through mutual assured destruction, which inhibited outright conflict. Yet, current trends suggest the fragility of this balance, with new technologies and aggressive geopolitical moves threatening to upset the status quo.
Even as global tensions rise, some experts argue there still exists hope for de-escalation. They maintain the importance of diplomacy and cooperative measures cannot be understated. Continued dialogues among major world players might pave the way for mitigating conflicts without exploding past the point of no return.
Still, as tensions continue to rise, many are left wondering what the future may hold. Will the world plunge headlong toward another global conflict, or will wisdom and foresight prevail, ushering in new strategies focused on stabilization and deterrence? The complexity of these international dynamics indicates challenges remain, along with the pressing need for worldwide cooperation to prevent the worst outdoor scenario of friction transforming dangerously.
Considering the unpredictable nature of world politics today, it’s clear the stakes are higher than ever. With so many nations situated on the edge, one can only hope rationality prevails, guiding decisions made by global leaders amid pressing challenges.
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So was Irvine the first to climb Everest or did he come up a foot short?
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