Sigmund Jähn: Commemorating the first German in space

On August 26, 1978, Sigmund Jähn became the first German to fly into space. As part of the Soviet Union’s Interkosmos program, Jähn joined the Soyuz 31 mission to the Salyut 6 space station alongside cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky.

During his eight-day mission, Jähn conducted 25 experiments spanning geophysics, medicine, biology, materials science, and remote sensing. He also utilized a new multispectral camera to photograph Earth. Following his flight, Jähn served as the leader of East Germany’s Space Training Centre near Strausberg until 1990.

To commemorate this historical milestone, the Sigmund Jähn Cosmonaut Center in Chemnitz is hosting a special action day on August 30. The event features an exhibition of rare archival artifacts, educational activities for children and adults, and interactive displays regarding Jähn’s life and career in spaceflight.