Georgi Ivanov

At a glance

Source: Wikipedia: Georgi Ivanov (cosmonaut)¹

Early career

Born in Lovech, Georgi Kakalov attended the Military Air-force School in Dolna Mitropolia and completed its five-year programme. He then served as a military pilot in the Bulgarian People’s Army. A few years later, he became an instructor and head of a division. He changed his surname to Ivanov because his original surname sounded similar to a Bulgarian word for excrement.¹

Soyuz 33 flight

Ivanov was selected for the Soviet Union’s Interkosmos programme in 1978 and trained for the Soyuz spacecraft programme. He flew with Soviet cosmonaut Nikolai Rukavishnikov on Soyuz 33, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 10 April 1979. The mission’s scientific programme was prepared by Bulgarian scientists, with some Bulgarian equipment.¹

Damage to the spacecraft’s engine prevented the planned docking with the Salyut 6 space station. The crew returned to Earth early, and technical problems made the landing difficult, with forces exceeding 9G. Soyuz 33 landed 320 kilometres south-east of Dzhezkazgan after completing 31 orbits. Ivanov spent 1 day, 23 hours and 1 minute in space.¹

Later career

Ivanov received the Hero of the Soviet Union title on 13 April 1979. He earned a PhD in space engineering and became a member of Bulgaria’s National Assembly in 1990. He also took part in the creation of the country’s new democratic constitution. His awards included the Hero of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria title and the Order of Georgi Dimitrov, both in 1979, and the Order of Stara Planina, first class with sword, in 2004.¹

Ivanov has been executive director of Air Sofia since 1993. He founded the Future in Space Foundation and is a member of the Association of Space Explorers. He has two children: a daughter, Ani, and a son, Ivan. His hobbies include skiing, fishing and golf.¹

He has been executive director of the airline Air Sofia since 1993.¹