2020-06-26 Fri

It is 40 years since the first Hungarian flew in space and Magyar Posta is marking this anniversary with a stamp issue.

Thanks to the Interkosmos Programme, Hungary had the opportunity to take part in the Soviet Union’s international space research programme for peaceful purposes. Rigorous tests to evaluate medical, intellectual and psychological suitability preceded the selection of the cosmonauts.

Among the 95 fighter pilots considered for the space mission, the two most suitable were Bertalan Farkas and Beela Magyari. Soyuz 36 lifted off on 26 May 1980 and docked with the Salyut 6 space station, manned by V Ryumin and L Popov, on 27 May. The Soviet-Hungarian pair of cosmonauts returned to Earth in the re-entry capsule of Soyuz 35 on 3 June 1980.

The designs of the stamps of the commemorative miniature sheet show the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, the launch of Soyuz 36, the Salyut 6 space station and the returning cabin of Soyuz 35.

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.

Image Courtesy: posta.hu