Soyuz 36 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 26, 1980, carrying Bertalan Farkas into orbit and making Hungary the seventh nation represented in space. This mission marked his entry into history as a cosmonaut and set the trajectory for a career spanning military aviation, research, diplomacy, and business ventures over the following decades.
Military Aviation Foundation
Born in 1949 in Gyulaháza, Hungary, Farkas pursued a career in aviation early on. He completed his education at the Kilián György College for Aviation Technology in 1969 before attending the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots in the Soviet Union, graduating in 1972. Between 1972 and 1978, he served with the 47th Tactical Air Wing at Pápa Air Base, where he achieved the status of first-class fighter pilot while flying MiG-21 aircraft.
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In 1978, Farkas volunteered for the Interkosmos program. Selected for the fifth international mission, he trained alongside backup Béla Magyari. On May 26, 1980, he launched with Soviet cosmonaut Valery Kubasov. During his seven days, 20 hours, and 45 minutes in orbit, he conducted materials science experiments. After completing 124 orbits, he returned to Earth, landing 140 km southeast of Jezkazgan. For this accomplishment, he was named a Hero of the Soviet Union on June 30, 1980.
Post-Space Career and Diplomacy
Farkas continued his professional development by earning a degree from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 1986. He served on the management team of the Interkosmos Council until 1991. Following his active military service, he was promoted to brigadier general in 1995 and served as deputy flight inspector. He later worked as an air attaché in Washington, D.C., from 1996 to 1997. Following his retirement from the military, he became president of Airlines Service and Trade and served as an advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó from 2014 to 2015.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Gyulaháza, Hungary
- Military Rank: Brigadier General
- Spaceflight Mission: Soyuz 36
- Flight Duration: 7 days, 20 hours, 45 minutes
- Languages spoken: Hungarian, Russian, Esperanto
- Award: Hero of the Soviet Union (1980)
- Award: Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen (2025)
- Current status: Retired from military service
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1980 Soyuz 36 mission?
It enabled Hungary to become the seventh nation to have a citizen travel into space.
Did Bertalan Farkas work as a pilot after his space mission?
Yes, he continued to fly aircraft, including the An-24, An-26, and Zlín Z-143, until 1995.
Achievements
- Commander Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic — 2025
- Hungarian Order of Merit
- Affiliated with Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- Educated at Kilián György College for Aviation Technology and Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots named after Hero of the Soviet Union A.K. Serov
- Worked as astronaut, aircraft pilot and Esperantist
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