MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – Oleg Novitskiy, commander of the Soyuz MS-03 crew that was launched into orbit from Baikonur on 16 November, sent Happy New Year greetings to Belarus from outer space, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Embassy in Russia.
“We wish you cosmic achievements in all your endeavors and great earthly happiness!” the cosmonaut said.
The Embassy recalled that prior to the launch, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko sent a telegram to Oleg Novitskiy. The President expressed particular appreciation for the fact that the cosmonaut remembers his roots and Belarus. “Wherever you are, please remember that the motherland is proud of the worthy son of the heroic and industrious Belarusian people!” Alexander Lukashenko said.
“Prior to the launch, the cosmonaut said that the Belarusian national flag was the first thing he decided to take along as a sign of respect for the native land and family,” the Embassy said. “While away from the Earth, I will be happy to know that I have a symbol of the homeland with me,” Oleg Novitskiy said.
The spacecraft's crew also includes U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet from France.
Oleg Novitskiy was born in the city of Cherven, Minsk Oblast. It is the second space mission for Oleg Novitskiy. He commanded the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the orbiting complex from 23 October 2012 to 16 March 2013.
