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

Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Commission probes 'Velichie' party in major property fraud case

Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating a large-scale property fraud and money laundering scheme connected to the 'Historical Park', which is associated with Ivelin Mihaylov, the leader of the Velichie party. Those arrested include the..

published on 11/26/25 2:30 PM

Borissov cites EU defence adjustment to claim a 2026 deficit of 2.7%

The ruling party and the opposition argued about the procedure for the Budget Committee meeting before the final vote on the 2006 budget . Assen Vassilev, chairman of the We Continue the Change party, attempted to block the committee’s extraordinary..

published on 11/26/25 2:15 PM

Agriculture and forestry workers protest for higher salaries

Employees in the agriculture and forestry sector staged a protest in front of the Parliament, demanding higher salaries for workers in departments that are secondary budget administrators. The protest was organized by the National Federation of..

published on 11/26/25 12:34 PM