Text size

46 years ago today: Georgi Ivanov became the first Bulgarian cosmonaut

published on 4/10/25 1:29 PM

Georgi Ivanov (R) and Nikolai Rukavishnikov.

Photo: BTA

On this day 46 years ago, Georgi Ivanov made history as the first Bulgarian to go into space. On 10 April 1979, at 20:34 Moscow time, the Soyuz-33 spacecraft was launched into orbit with Georgi Ivanov and Soviet commander Nikolai Rukavishnikov on board.

Although the mission suffered a serious technical malfunction that prevented the spacecraft from docking with the Salyut-6 orbital station, the two cosmonauts managed to return safely. After thirty-one orbits, they landed 320 kilometres south-east of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. The mission lasted one day, 23 hours and 1 minute.

43 years since the space flight of Bulgarian astronaut Georgi Ivanov

Remarkably, Ivanov remained calm throughout the mission - even during the emergency landing - and his pulse never exceeded the normal range. His physiological composure under extreme stress is still considered a world record.

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

Radio Bulgaria News 46 years cosmonaut flight georgi ivanov

More from category

After Burgas, Varna Airport also welcomes its one millionth passenger for 2025

The one-millionth passenger for this year was solemnly welcomed at Varna Airport. Gerhard Peschke arrived by flight from Frankfurt with his wife, two children and two grandchildren. The family will stay in Obzor, he said. Their..

published on 8/5/25 11:29 AM

Mitrofanova admits Lukoil is considering selling its assets in Bulgaria

Lukoil's subsidiaries in Bulgaria are under unprecedented pressure and the company is considering selling assets in the country, Russian Ambassador to Sofia Eleonora Mitrofanova said in an interview with state-run RIA Novosti...

published on 8/5/25 10:34 AM

Center for assisting Ukrainian refugees in Varna

According to UN report, Bulgaria is a main entry point for asylum seekers into the EU

Bulgaria, as an external border country of the EU, has begun to play a key role in accepting refugees from Ukraine, a UN report reads, BTA reports. So far, the country has accepted over 2.3 million refugees from Ukraine, but most..

published on 8/5/25 9:15 AM