Honorary Title "Pilot-Cosmonaut Of The German Democratic Republic".

[charlet]

DDR (one cosmonaut; only one engraved, a few others no engraved, 6000 euros)

smaller version (same price!)

[Taz]

(Ehrentitel Fliegerkosmonaut der DDR)

This honorary title was instituted in 1978. The "Pilot- cosmonaut of the German democratic republic" was awarded for the achievements and participation in manned space flights which have overriding importance to the GDR and the socialist community of states as well as for the welfare of the people and requires high readiness of personal application, courage, boldness as well as excellent scientific and engineer/engineering knowledge and abilities.

This Title was awarded by the Chairman of the Council of State of the GDR. The honorary title was awarded to citizens of the GDR and other socialist states. It can only be awarded once. A medallion and a document were issued with this honorary title.
Awarded together with the honorary title "Hero of the German democratic republic".
The medallion is round, from silver, gilt and has a diameter of 35 (1st Form) and 30 mm. (2nd Form)
On the front is a smooth five pointed star. From the upper point of the star up to the lower medallion edge is a stylized Carrier rocket. The flight path of the carrier rocket is shown by a rocket trail in light blue sharpened upwards from below. In the middle of the star the symbol documents the communal work in space research and is made of combined elements of the state coats of arms of the USSR and the GDR.
On the reverse is the inscription "FLIEGERKOSMONAUT DER DDR"
The medallion suspension is 10 x 28 mms with a light blue ribbon. On the long sides of the suspension are gilt metal bars.
The medallion "Pilot- cosmonaut of the German democratic republic" was always worn on the right breast side.

Eddie.

1. Form - without date, diameter 35 mms. There are only a few examples of this rare award.

[Taz]

2. Form - with impressed flight data, diameter 30 mms. Only 6 known examples exist.
Siegmund Jähn and Waleri Bykowski were both awarded this Title and possibly the other two crew members Cosmonauten Wladimir Kowaljonok und Alexander Iwantschenko

Eddie

[Taz]

Here are the Cloth Badges worn by Siegmund Jähn and Waleri Bykowski.
And here the middle right one worn by Siegmund Jähn on the right upper arm as a close up.

Eddie.

[new world]

More detailed pic of Cosmonaut of East Germany.

[new world]

Here's description of DDR Cosmonaut title

"Flieger-Kosmonaut der DDR. (Cosmonaut of East Germany):

It was Created March 1978.

The medal was then awarded to Cosmonaut Major General (Dr.) Sigmund JAEHN, for the Aug 26 – Sep 3, 1978 joint Soviet/DDR Flight on Sojus 31 to the Russian Space Station Sojus 6. However, he was not at that time yet a General. He was a young Oberleutnant.

What might be of a bit of a surprise to many on this board, is that contrary to popular belief, not one - but several of these medals were produced. What is true however, is that only one was ever actually awarded. That is the one awarded to General JAEHN.

Incidentally, the one awarded to Major General JAEHN was engraved on the reverse with the dates of the flight. Of interest, is that a second similar medal was subsequently produced, in a slightly smaller size, with the dates of the flight on the reverse of the medal this time “Raised” instead of etched. Not sure if this one also was given to him, or reserved for the East German Museum in Dresden that was overseen by Gen. HOFFMAN himself. I suspect it was for the latter.

Note: In addition to the subsequent medal being produced in a slightly smaller size, the ribbon too was produced in a slightly smaller size."

Cosmonaut Major General (Dr.) Sigmund JAEHN.

[new world]

Another version of DDR Cosmonaut badge - with "etched" inscription and another version - now with "raised" inscription.

So far we've seen three versions of the same badge:

1) "etched" inscription,
2) "raised" inscription,
3) no inscription.

Also - note different suspension devises.

William