Soyuz 33

Soyuz 33 carried Nikolai Rukavishnikov and Bulgarian research cosmonaut Georgi Ivanov on the fourth crewed Intercosmos mission. The spacecraft launched from Baikonur Site 31/6 on April 10, 1979 for a planned visit to Salyut 6, with Ivanov becoming the first Bulgarian person in space. During rendezvous, Spacefacts records that the Soyuz engine failed as the spacecraft approached within kilometers of Salyut 6. Mission control aborted the docking, and the crew prepared for an early return rather than risking a spacecraft with a suspect propulsion system near the station. Rukavishnikov and Ivanov landed safely on April 12 after 1 day, 23 hours, and 1 minute in space. The flight did not complete the planned Salyut 6 visit, but it remains Bulgaria's first human spaceflight and an important Intercosmos abort case.