Space.com Viktor Gorbatko, One of the First Soviet-Era Cosmonauts, Dies at 82 18 May 2017 fborgosano Leave a comment Share: Viktor Gorbatko, one of the first cosmonauts and a veteran of three space flights, died on May 17 at 82. In March 1960, Gorbatko was selected alongside Yuri Gagarin and 18 other air force pilots to train as the first Soviet cosmonaut group. from Space.com bit.ly/2qWowZ1 Share: