President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expects the continuation of joint space flight projects with Russia. The Head of State stated this on March 19 during a video conference meeting with the participants of the main crew of the 21st expedition to the International Space Station, Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Alexander Lukashenko spoke about his intention to appeal to the Russian side to organise a space flight in the future for all three individuals who were preparing for the current launch: commander Oleg Novitsky, Marina Vasilevskaya, and Anastasia Lenkova, who is serving as the backup.
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 together – Nastya, Marina, and you."
Lukashenko counts on the continuation of joint space flight projects with Russia
"Alright, with pleasure," the cosmonaut replied. "We'll accomplish any task."
"Good. Then, during my meeting with the President of Russia, I will gradually start raising these issues," Alexander Lukashenko promised.
In turn, Oleg Novitsky also addressed the head of the Belarusian state with a request: "Perhaps, we could also 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: "Just as Russians train cosmonauts – so that Belarusians are trained the same way, right? That's not an issue, they will agree. What's wrong with that? Nothing at all. I am sure that our girls (I know from feedback, I'm interested in this issue) were very well-received in terms of training – 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 talk."
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 being built on a mutually beneficial basis: "Putin is great in this regard. They don't spare money to support us as a spacefaring nation. We will settle with them in other areas. We have a powerful enterprise that produces satellites, including for Russia's benefit."
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. "Currently, 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 State Corporation, Yuri Borisov, for his readiness to develop cooperation with Belarus: "He is simply great. He responded to all my requests. A very decent person."
In conclusion of the conversation with Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya about the prospects for 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."
Desire"Yes, there is, Alexander Grigoryevich, and a significant one," Oleg Novitsky replied.
"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, a 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 scheduled for March 21 at 16:21 Moscow time. Docking with the ISS is expected 3 hours after liftoff.
During the flight, the scientific program of the Belarusian cosmonaut, developed by the National Academy of Sciences in collaboration with Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences, will be carried out. It includes 7 targeted studies – 5 research and 2 educational. Scientific research will be conducted in the fields of biology, physiology, autonomous functioning of space stations, and Earth remote sensing 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 and the main medical commission examination of the Yu.A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Research Test Centre and was designated as the primary participant in the space flight to the ISS from Belarus.
Oleg Novitsky is a cosmonaut, a native of Belarus. He undertook flights in 2012, 2016, and 2021, with a total flight duration of 531 days and 22 hours in outer space.