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

The "Big Table" initiative will take place in Sofia for the last time this year

In the summer of 2024, a Sofia municipality and its residents showed how we can be happy and united as a community, sitting at one table. In July 2024, on Exarch Yosif Street and in September on Oborishte Street in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, the first..

published on 9/20/25 9:15 AM

The village of Dolni Rakovets near Pernik is hosting the Garlic Festival

The Garlic Festival will be held on September 21 and 22 at the stadium in the village of Dolni Rakovets, Radomir Municipality, Pernik Region . The event presents the traditional production of Dolni Rakovets garlic. Due to the favorable soil..

published on 9/20/25 7:35 AM

Burgas hosts Eldrive EV Festival 2025

The Eldrive EV Fest 2025 will be held today at the Burgas Sea Station. The event is dedicated to electric cars and its program includes test drives, presentations of new models and an evening show. Visitors will be able not only..

published on 9/20/25 5:35 AM