ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria marks 55 years of space research and 45 years since the flight of а Bulgarian cosmonaut

Georgi Ivanov - the first Bulgarian astronaut
Photo: Lovech municipality

The Institute for Space Research and Technology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences will solemnly celebrate today its 55th anniversary together with the 45th anniversary of the flight of the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov.  Bulgaria's first cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov will also take part in the event, which is held under the auspices of President Rumen Radev.

In 1969, the Scientific Group on Space Physics was founded at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, which in 1987 grew into the Institute for Space Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. 

The first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov (right) with Soviet cosmonaut Nikolai Rukavishnikov before the launch of Soyuz-33, Baikonur, April 10, 1979.
In 1979, Georgi Ivanov was selected to join the crew of the Soviet spacecraft "Soyuz 33". On April 10 of that year, he took off from the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, along with Soviet cosmonaut Nikolai Rukavishnikov. The mission of the first Bulgarian cosmonaut was to carry out scientific research and test new space technologies. 

Thus, Bulgaria became the sixth space country in the world after Russia, USA, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany.


Read also:

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    Bulgaria as a space country Georgi Ivanov Georgi Ivanov space research

More from category

Torrential rain causes state of emergency in village of Lehchevo in Montana region

A state of disaster has been declared in the Montana village of Lehchevo , Boychinovtsi municipality, after torrential rain last night, which flooded houses and led to the evacuation of residents. Two women, aged 70 and 93, were trapped in a water trap..

published on 4/27/25 10:40 AM

“Yes, Bulgaria” elects: One or two co-chairpersons

The political formation “Yes, Bulgaria” which is part of the opposition coalition “Democratic Bulgaria” is calling a national conference to elect a new leader or two leaders to replace former chairman Hristo Ivanov who resigned over poor results at..

published on 4/27/25 8:10 AM
Antonio Costa

European Council President Antonio Costa visits Bulgaria

European Council President Antonio Costa will be paying a three-day visit to Bulgaria 27-29 April. His schedule includes meetings with President Rumen Radev and with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. He is also expected to visit production and..

published on 4/27/25 7:35 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Clear
Min: 3 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 14
Partly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 13
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 21
Clear
Min: 6 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 0 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: -2 | Max: 15
Clear
Min: 3 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 4 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: 6 | Max: 19
Clear
Min: 1 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 0 | Max: 15
Clear
Min: 3 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 1 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: 6 | Max: 18
Clear
Min: 4 | Max: 16
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 13
Clear
Min: 2 | Max: 16
Clear
Min: 0 | Max: 19
Clear
Min: 1 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: 1 | Max: 17
Clear
Min: -1 | Max: 16
Clear
Min: 1 | Max: 18
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Polish businesses want new highways and bridges to connect Bulgaria with Romania

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev discussed ways to boost trade and investment between Bulgaria and Poland during a meeting with representatives of..

published on 4/29/25 9:31 AM

For 12 months after the introduction of the euro, prices will be in both levs and euro

A month after Bulgaria receives the green light to join the eurozone, all traders are obliged to have their prices in both Bulgarian..

published on 4/28/25 10:28 AM

Bulgaria meets price stability criterion for eurozone entry

Since the beginning of the year, Bulgaria has also met the price stability criterion for eurozone membership, Minister of Finance..

published on 4/28/25 11:59 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"