# Mirosław Hermaszewski

> Polish cosmonaut (1941–2022)

**Wikidata**: [Q361415](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q361415)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirosław_Hermaszewski)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mirosaw-hermaszewski

## Summary
Mirosław Hermaszewski was a Polish cosmonaut and military pilot who became the first and only Polish citizen to journey into space as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos program. Born on September 15, 1941, he flew aboard the Soyuz 30 mission in 1978, conducting scientific experiments. His career spanned military aviation and space exploration, earning him numerous honors, including the Hero of the Soviet Union title.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 15, 1941
- **Nationality**: Polish
- **Education**: 
  - Graduated from the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin (1964)
  - Attended the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
- **Known for**: First Polish cosmonaut, Soyuz 30 mission (1978)
- **Employer(s)**: 
  - Polish Air Force
  - Soviet space program (Interkosmos)
- **Field(s)**: Space exploration, military aviation

## Contributions
- **Soyuz 30 Mission (1978)**: Flew to space as part of the Soviet Interkosmos program, conducting experiments focused on Earth observation, radiation, and materials science.
- **Scientific Collaboration**: Contributed to joint Polish-Soviet research initiatives during the mission, enhancing bilateral scientific ties.
- **Military Service**: Served as a fighter pilot in the Polish Air Force, achieving the rank of colonel.

## FAQs
**What was Mirosław Hermaszewski's most notable achievement?**  
He became the first and only Polish citizen to travel to space, aboard the Soyuz 30 spacecraft in 1978, as part of the Soviet-led Interkosmos program.

**Where was Hermaszewski educated?**  
He graduated from the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin in 1964 and later trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in the Soviet Union.

**What honors did Hermaszewski receive?**  
He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union, Order of Lenin, and the Polish Order of the Cross of Grunwald, among other decorations.

**What was the significance of the Interkosmos program?**  
The program allowed Eastern Bloc countries, including Poland, to participate in Soviet space missions, fostering Cold War-era scientific collaboration and propaganda efforts.

## Why They Matter
Mirosław Hermaszewski's spaceflight symbolized Poland's participation in the Soviet-led space race, serving as a Cold War-era achievement for both Poland and the USSR. His mission advanced scientific research and inspired future generations of Polish scientists and engineers, leaving a legacy as a pioneering figure in Polish aerospace history.

## Notable For
- **First Polish Cosmonaut**: Sole Polish citizen to journey into space (1978).
- **Soviet Honors**: Recipient of the Hero of the Soviet Union and Order of Lenin.
- **Military Aviation Career**: Achieved the rank of colonel in the Polish Air Force.
- **International Collaboration**: Embodied Cold War-era scientific cooperation through the Interkosmos program.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Mirosław Hermaszewski was born on September 15, 1941, in Jasienica, Poland. He pursued a military career, graduating from the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin in 1964. His aviation training later extended to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in the Soviet Union, preparing him for spaceflight.

### Military and Aviation Career
Hermaszewski served as a fighter pilot in the Polish Air Force, rising to the rank of colonel. His military service laid the foundation for his selection as a cosmonaut candidate in the Soviet Union's Interkosmos program, which sought to involve Eastern Bloc nations in space exploration.

### Space Mission: Soyuz 30 (1978)
On June 27, 1978, Hermaszewski and Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko launched aboard Soyuz 30. The mission docked with the Salyut 6 space station, where they conducted experiments in Earth observation, radiation detection, and materials science. This 8-day mission made Hermaszewski an international symbol of Polish-Soviet cooperation during the Cold War.

### Honors and Legacy
For his achievement, Hermaszewski received the Hero of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin, and Poland's Order of the Cross of Grunwald. His spaceflight remains a landmark in Polish history, inspiring national pride and interest in STEM fields. Despite being the only Polish cosmonaut, his legacy endures as a testament to international collaboration in space exploration.

### Post-Flight Career and Death
After retiring from active duty, Hermaszewski remained involved in promoting aerospace education and Polish-Russian relations. He passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 81, remembered as a pioneering figure in both military aviation and space exploration.

## References

1. [Gen. Mirosław Hermaszewski nie żyje. Polski kosmonauta zmarł w Warszawie w wieku 81 lat](https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114883,29253993,gen-miroslaw-hermaszewski-nie-zyje-polski-astronauta-zmarl.html)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. NUKAT
4. WorldCat Entities
5. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
6. [Poland's only cosmonaut, Mirosław Hermaszewski, dies aged 81](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/12/polands-only-cosmonaut-mirosaw-hermaszewski-dies-aged-81)
7. [Zmarł Mirosław Hermaszewski – jedyny Polak, który odbył lot w kosmos](https://dlapilota.pl/wiadomosci/polska/zmarl-miroslaw-hermaszewski-jedyny-polak-ktory-odbyl-lot-w-kosmos)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Sejm-Wielki.pl