Jugderdemidiyn Gurragcha

Zhugderdemidiyn Gurragcha (born December 5, 1947) was the first Mongolian cosmonaut and the second Asian in space. He is currently Mongolia's defense minister.

Born in Gurvan-Bulak, Mongolia, Gurragcha studied in Ulan Bator to become an aerospace engineer. He then joined the air force, rising to the rank of Major General.

He was selected as part of the eight international programme for Intercosmos on March 1, 1978. His backup cosmonaut was Maidarzhavyn Ganzorig.

Gurragcha, along with Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov, from Baikonur Cosmodrome on March 22, 1981. They docked with Salyut 6.

While in orbit, Dzhanibekov and Gurragcha carried out experiments on earth science.

After 124 orbits and 7 days, 20 hours and 42 minutes in space, Gurragcha and Dzhanibekov landed 170 km southeast of Dzheskasgan.

Before becoming minister of defense in 2000, Gurragcha worked as chief of a scientific institute in Ulan Bator.

He is married and has one child.