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

Vice President Iliana Iotova: Whether the parliament will survive is up to the political parties

Two very important procedures depend on the election of president of parliament. Talking to reporters, Vice President Iliana Iotova said that if a president of the National Assembly is elected, then a national budget can be submitted and the president..

published on 11/29/24 11:26 AM

Sheep infected with smallpox in Zhelyo Voivoda village to be euthanized

In Zhelyo Voivoda village, a flock of sheep infected with smallpox will be euthanized after laboratory tests confirmed that the animals are indeed infected. BNR’s correspondent in Sliven reports, citing the local administration, that the animals..

published on 11/29/24 10:47 AM

Low emission zone put in place in Sofia as of 1 December

As of 1 December until the end of February, driving an old car in the centre of Sofia will be subject to a EUR 25-100 fine. The fines for legal entities will be 10 times higher – from EUR 500 to EUR 1,000. The low emission zone was put in place..

published on 11/29/24 10:25 AM