Sigmund Jähn was a German astronaut and the first German to travel into space. He flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 28 in 1978, spending nearly eight days in orbit. Jähn was born on February 13, 1937, in Freiberg, Germany, and trained as a pilot and engineer. After his space mission, Jähn became a prominent figure in East Germany, promoting science and technology. He received several awards for his contributions to space exploration and continued to work in various scientific fields until his retirement. Jähn passed away on September 21, 2021.