MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – Belarus hopes for a successful launch of its second artificial satellite, Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov noted as met with members of the Executive Committee of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) on 23 March, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus has been actively working on a new Earth remote sensing satellite together with Russian partners. We expect that this work will be complete soon and the second Belarusian satellite will be sent to orbit,” Andrei Kobyakov remarked.
Belarus launched its first satellite in 2012. “This is not just a satellite that Belarus owns. It has been made in Belarus. All the purpose-designed equipment is Belarus-made,” the prime minister underlined.
Belarus has been an active participant of space exploration for many years. In November 2013, the country was elected to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Belarus set up a national satellite communication and broadcasting system. A Belarusian communications satellite has been sent to orbit on board a Chinese rocket.
The country has formed and keeps developing a system to train specialists for space industry and sectors using space information. Belarusian universities offer aerospace-related degrees. Belarusian scientists participate in space congresses under the aegis of the UN and space agencies of Russia, the USA, China, Japan, and the European Union.
Andrei Kobyakov thanked the ASE Executive Committee for the decision to hold the 31st Planetary Congress in Minsk in September 2018. The head of government expressed readiness to discuss organizational matters and preparations for the large scale event. “We hope that the Planetary Congress in Minsk will promote space exploration and step up cooperation in this field,” he summarized.
The ASE was set up in 1985 by a group of cosmonauts and astronauts from the USA, the USSR, and some other countries. The ASE membership composed of people who have completed at least one Earth orbit in space. Today it comprises over 400 flown astronauts and cosmonauts from 37 countries.
