Cosmonaut Aleksandr Samokutyaev, 56, is first former ISS crew member to die

Cosmonaut Aleksandr Samokutyaev died on Wednesday at the age of 56, becoming the first former long-duration resident of the International Space Station (ISS) to pass away. Samokutyaev completed two missions aboard the ISS, with his second expedition concluding in 2011. During that mission, he was part of the crew for the final flight of the US Space Shuttle program. His death marks a significant milestone, as the ISS has hosted 155 other cosmonauts and astronauts over its 26-year operational history without any former expedition crew members having died prior to this event. The cause of Samokutyaev's death has not been disclosed. Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, issued a statement expressing condolences to his family and loved ones.