45 years since the flight of first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov in space

The 45th anniversary since the flight in space of the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov is marked today in the city of Lovech with solemn celebrations. The representative part of the Lovech Garrison and the “Georgi Benkovski” Higher Air School in Dolna Mitropolia, as well as the Bulgarian Air Force Band will take part of the ceemony. A special air salute will be given by the 12th Air Base - Dolna Mitropolia.

A photo exhibition dedicated to the anniversary and a display of rocket models organised by the Model Club Lovech will be opened in the city centre. There will also be a festive ritual.

Georgi Ivanov was launched into space on board the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 33 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 10, 1979. He was on board the Soyuz 33 spacecraft with Russian cosmonaut Nikolai Rukvishnikov. According to the plan, the spacecraft was to remain in space for seven days, but a problem with one of the engines prevented its docking with the Salyut 6 orbital station and forced the crew to make an emergency return to Earth after making 31 complete orbits around it.

The two spend one day, 23 hours and one minute in space.