42 years since the first flight of a Bulgarian astronaut in space

published on 4/10/21 6:50 AM

Nikolai Rukavishnikov and Georgi Ivanov (right)

Photo: BNR archive

The day was April 10, 1979 and the time 20 hours and 34 minutes. The Soyuz-33 spacecraft launched into orbit takes to outer space. The first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov was onboard. He made 31 complete orbits around the Earth. Onboard the ship Bulgaria's Ivanov was with the Soviet cosmonaut Nikolai Rukavishnikov.

This flight placed Bulgaria as the 6th space country in the world after the USSR, USA, Czechoslovakia, Poland and the GDR.

All-Bulgarian equipment and appliances were created specifically for this flight which were the work of Bulgarian scientists. Bulgarian scientists also created different types of space foods while preserving the taste, aroma and nutritional qualities of the products in space flight.

Some of the Bulgarian developments continue to be used in space flights to this day.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News astronaut cosmonaut flight in space Georgi Ivanov Nikolai Rukavishnikov outer space Soyuz space USSR

More from category

Public transport workers go on national protest for higher wages

Public transport workers in Sofia, Varna and Ruse took to the streets of the capital under the slogan “Decent work – decent pay! Without transport there is no economy!”, organized by the largest trade unions in the country. The demonstrators..

published on 4/14/25 9:46 AM

35 billion leva are needed for complete rehabilitation of Bulgaria's road network

The complete rehabilitation of Bulgaria's road network, including all compromised road sections, would cost around 35 billion leva, regional minister Ivan Ivanov told bTV. He added that it was not clear where these funds could be found. 13,000..

published on 4/14/25 8:40 AM

Minister Gutsanov attends open lesson on the risks of vaping, laughing gas and designer drugs

Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov will attend an open lesson today at the Alexander Pushkin Secondary School in Varna, organized by the State Agency for Child Protection. The event is part of the campaign that informs children..

published on 4/14/25 7:00 AM