September 17th, 1957
Baikonur Launch Site, Soviet Union
The massive R-7 rocket looms over the pad at Baikonur as engineers tend to it to make sure it is ready for the launch of the first Soviet satellite, Sputnik 1. The rocket is slated to launch tomorrow, and it’s critical that every single part of the rocket is in top-notch shape before it lifts off from the pad. A couple engineers are having a conversation while walking towards the main town of Baikonur, and the bars.
"Why don't we try that new place that opened up last night?"
"I don't know, how about that other one we went to last week? Don't they still have that double-strength vodka-
Over 20 engineers and staff were killed in the accident. The launch site was badly damaged, but not completely destroyed, allowing for another launch attempt 2 months later. Sputnik would eventually orbit on the third of November, 1957. The Americans were none the wiser of the incident, but the 2 month delay only helped increase their belief that the Soviets were no match for the Americans in the playing field of space.