Lukashenko expects the continuation of joint space flight projects with Russia

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expects the continuation of joint space flight projects with Russia.

The head of state announced this on March 19 during a video conference with members of the main crew of the 21st expedition to the International Space Station, Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya, a BELTA correspondent reports.

Alexander Lukashenko spoke about his intention to appeal to the Russian side to organize a space flight in the future for all three individuals who prepared for the current launch: commander Oleg Novitsky, Marina Vasilevskaya, and Anastasia Lenkova, who is serving as the backup. "I would like the three of you to fly," the President noted. Addressing Oleg Novitsky, the head of state said: "If you feel well (after returning from the ISS - from the flight scheduled for March 21. - BELTA's note), I will ask the Russians for the three of you to fly - Nastya, Marina, and you."

"Okay, with pleasure," the cosmonaut replied. "We will fulfill any task." "Good. I will then gradually raise these issues with the President of Russia at our meetings," Alexander Lukashenko promised. In turn, Oleg Novitsky also addressed the Belarusian head of state with a request: "Perhaps raise the issue of allowing Belarusians to participate in training as professionals, not as foreigners, but as brothers."

The President supported this initiative and expressed confidence that the Russian side should agree to such a proposal: "The way cosmonauts are trained in Russia – that's how Belarusians should be trained too, right? That's not an issue, they will agree. And what's wrong with that? Nothing at all. I am sure that our girls (I know from feedback, I'm interested in this issue) liked them very much in terms of training – they are very responsible and mastered the training program with ease." Alexander Lukashenko assured that he would discuss this proposal with the Russian side: "I promise, I will negotiate." At the same time, organizing space flights with the participation of Belarusians in the future will require addressing financing issues, but here, as the President emphasized, there is mutual understanding with the Russian side and cooperation is built on a mutually beneficial basis: "Putin is a great guy in this regard. They don't spare money to support us as a space power. We will settle with them in other areas. We have a powerful enterprise that produces satellites, including for Russia's interests." Currently, Belarusian specialists are working on creating a high-resolution satellite. "We have made progress in this regard," Alexander Lukashenko noted. "When sanctions were imposed, they thought we would collapse. But it turned out that we are in demand, especially in the space industry of the Russian Federation," the head of state emphasized. "Now the demand from the space segment of the Russian Federation's economy is very high." The President expressed special gratitude to the Director General of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, for his readiness to develop cooperation with Belarus: "He is simply a great guy. He responded to all my requests. A very decent person." At the end of the conversation with Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya about the prospects of cooperation with the Russian side on space flights, Alexander Lukashenko remarked: "We will reach an agreement with the Russians. The main thing is that you have the desire to work together."

"The desire is there, Alexander Grigoryevich, and it's a big one," replied Oleg Novitsky. "I will always support and gladly come to the launch if Oleg Viktorovich flies," added Marina Vasilevskaya. Currently, Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya are at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, preparing for an imminent launch. Belarusian Marina Vasilevskaya is a participant in a space flight to the ISS. She is part of the main crew of the 21st expedition to visit the International Space Station, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut and native of Belarus, crew commander Oleg Novitsky, and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson. The launch of the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft by the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle is planned for March 21 at 16:21 Moscow time. Docking with the ISS is expected 3 hours after the start. During the flight, the scientific program of the Belarusian cosmonaut, developed by the National Academy of Sciences in conjunction with Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences, will be carried out. It includes 7 targeted works – 5 research and 2 educational. Scientific research will be conducted in the fields of biology, physiology, autonomous functioning of space stations, and remote sensing of the Earth using Belarusian-made photo and video spectral equipment located on the ISS. Lactoferrin and probiotics produced by NAS scientific organizations will also be studied for their potential future use in creating food products for cosmonauts. Marina Vasilevskaya was born in 1990 in Minsk. From 2017 to 2023, she worked as a flight attendant for Belavia airline. In 2022, she passed the national selection, the main medical commission examination of the Yu.A. Gagarin Scientific Research Test Center for Cosmonaut Training, and was designated the primary participant in the flight to the ISS from Belarus. Oleg Novitsky is a cosmonaut, a native of Belarus, who made flights in 2012, 2016, and 2021, with a total flight duration of 531 days and 22 hours in outer space.

Source: belta.by