Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa


Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa was the first Mongolian in space. He also was Mongolia's Defense Minister from 2000–04.

Early life and spaceflight

Born in Gurvanbulag, Bulgan, Gürragchaa studied in Ulaanbaatar to become an aerospace engineer. In 1966, he joined the Mongolian Air Force. He graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1978.
He was selected as part of the eighth Intercosmos program on 1 March 1978, at time he was in the rank of Major General. His backup was Maidarjavyn Ganzorig. Gürragchaa, along with Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov, departed from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 22 March 1981. They docked with Salyut 6.
While in orbit, Dzhanibekov and Gürragchaa carried out experiments on earth science. After 124 orbits and 7 days, 20 hours and 42 minutes in space, Gürragchaa and Dzhanibekov landed 170 km southeast of Dzhezkasgan.

Post-flight

Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on 30 March 1981. The Zaisan Memorial, a monument south of Ulaanbaatar dedicated to Russian–Mongolian friendship, includes a mural which depicts amongst its scenes Gürragchaa's 1981 flight.
Gürragchaa worked as the chief of staff of air defense for the Mongolian Armed Forces, served the Defense Minister of Mongolia in 2000-2004 and was a member of State Great Khural in 2004–08.

Personal life

Gürragchaa is married and has two children. He heads the fund for development of bandy in Mongolia.