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

Bulgarian National Bank reduces base interest rate

The base interest rate in the country is being reduced to 1.82% as of 1 August 2025, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has announced. The reduction is by 0.09% compared to July, when it was 1.91%. The simple annual interest rate is being reduced..

published on 8/1/25 11:16 AM

Posters advertising Bulgarian tourism awarded

The jury at the International Triennial of Stage Posters and the Ministry of Tourism awarded three equal prizes and 8 incentive prizes for tourist posters on the subject of “Bulgaria”. The jury, headed by Prof. Bozhidar Yonov, reviewed 144 posters..

published on 8/1/25 10:58 AM

Bulgaria and Great Britain are partners in combatting illegal immigration

President Rumen Radev expressed his appreciation of Great Britain’s support for Bulgaria in guarding the EU’s external borders. President Radev met with the British ambassador to Bulgaria Nathaniel Copsey, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports...

published on 8/1/25 10:31 AM