MOSCOW, 11 April (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested sending another Belarusian cosmonaut into space as he met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 11 April, BelTA has learned.
During the meeting, the head of state thanked Vladimir Putin for his support in organizing the flight of Belarus’ first cosmonaut to the ISS.
"It is clear that if it had not been for your decision, flight would have not happened. We agreed that it would be a female space participant. We selected six out of more than 2,000 applicants, then two: the prime and her backup. Today we honored her with the Hero of Belarus title. Just like in Russia cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky is Hero of Russia, she is Hero of Belarus," the President said.
According to him, Roscosmos has reaffirmed its readiness to work with Belarus on the development of a full-fledged space program. "We want to send a new satellite with a resolution of 25 centimeters some time in the future, maybe in two years. It's going to a big deal for us. We are working on it, there is no doubt that we will do it. We will work together in terms of cosmonauts training program. We are ready to join your cosmonauts program. There is no need for a separate Belarusian program," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
"We will work together," Vladimir Putin promised.
"You are much ahead. We have applicants, including female ones, who are ready to fly. Roscosmos is fine with it. If you support us, then we will send the second female applicant who was a backup. She is ready. We spent a lot of money on her training. If there is a desire and your will, then we will continue her training. She is ready," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
Photos courtesy of the press service of the Russian president -BelTA
