Pyotr Dolgov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pyotr Dolgov
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Volga balloon gondola from which Dolgov made his fatal jump.
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| Born | 21 February 1920 Bogoyavlenskoye (now Dolgovo) in Zemetchinsky District, Penza Oblast |
| Died | 1 November 1962 (aged 42) Stratosphere, above Volsk, USSR (now Russia) |
| Allegiance |  Soviet Union |
| Service/ |
Soviet airborne forces |
| Years of service | 1940–1962 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
Pyotr Ivanovich Dolgov (Russian: Пётр Иванович Долгов; February 21, 1920 – November 1, 1962) was a brave colonel in the Soviet airborne forces. He was known for his incredible courage and his work as a parachute tester. Colonel Dolgov sadly passed away during a very high-altitude parachute jump from a special balloon called the Volga balloon. He was later honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union for his dedication and bravery.
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Who Was Pyotr Dolgov?
Pyotr Dolgov was born on February 21, 1920, in a small village called Bogoyavlenskoye. This village is now known as Dolgovo, located in the Penza Oblast region. His family were farmers, and Pyotr grew up learning about hard work and determination.
Early Life and Military Service
Pyotr Dolgov joined the military and served in the Soviet airborne forces. He was a soldier during World War II, a very important time in history.
A Brave Soldier in World War II
During World War II, Pyotr Dolgov showed great courage. By January 1945, he became a company commander in the 350th Guards Rifle Regiment. He took part in major military operations, including the Budapest Offensive and the Vienna Offensive. In one instance, he bravely helped his unit succeed against enemy forces. Even after being wounded, he refused to leave the battlefield, showing his strong commitment.
A Pioneer in Parachuting
After the war, Pyotr Dolgov continued his military education. He graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in 1947. He then became a highly skilled parachute tester. This job involved making many jumps to test new equipment and techniques. Pyotr Dolgov made an amazing 1,409 parachute jumps in his career. He also set eight world and Soviet records for his incredible achievements in parachuting. He even helped design the special ejection seats used in the early Vostok spacecraft, which were important for space travel.
His Final, Brave Jump
On November 1, 1962, Pyotr Dolgov prepared for a very special and challenging jump. He ascended in a large balloon gondola, the Volga, from a place near Saratov. His goal was to perform a high-altitude parachute jump, testing new equipment.
The High-Altitude Challenge
Another brave person, Yevgeni Nikolayevich Andreyev, was with him and successfully completed his jump. Pyotr Dolgov was testing an experimental pressure suit, which is a special suit designed to protect a person in very high altitudes where there is little air. He jumped from an incredible height of 28,640 meters (about 17.8 miles) above the Earth.
Sadly, as he exited the gondola, the visor of his pressure suit accidentally hit a part of the balloon. This caused his suit to lose its air pressure. Pyotr Dolgov passed away during this brave attempt.
A Hero Remembered
On December 12, 1962, Pyotr Dolgov was honored posthumously, meaning after his death, as a Hero of the Soviet Union. This is one of the highest honors a person can receive in the Soviet Union. His bravery and dedication to testing new technologies were recognized.
Even though his jump was not successful, it's important to know about other record-breaking jumps. The record for the highest-altitude parachute jump at that time was held by Joseph Kittinger, who jumped from 31,300 meters in 1960. Today, the world record is held by Alan Eustace, who jumped from an astonishing 41,425 meters on October 24, 2014. Pyotr Dolgov's efforts, even in their tragic outcome, contributed to the knowledge of high-altitude jumps and space exploration.
At the time of his passing, the Soviet Army newspaper Red Star announced that he had died while "carrying out his duties." He is remembered as a dedicated and courageous individual who pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
See also
In Spanish: Piotr Dolgov para niños
