An archive photo
MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ first woman cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya and the Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky have addressed participants of the expert and mass media forum “Union State. Scientific breakthrough” from the International Space Station (ISS), BelTA has learned.
Marina Vasilevskaya said: “It is difficult to convey the emotions I am feeling right now. I feel pride for getting the opportunity to be the first Belarusian woman to work in outer space. I feel profound gratitude to our heads of state: esteemed Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who have entrusted me with taking part in the expedition to the ISS. I heartily welcome all participants of the expert and mass media forum ‘Union State. Scientific breakthrough’. Please, accept my and Oleg [Novitsky]’s warmest wishes of luck and success to the forum. May the discussions and new ideas the forum is known for benefit the nations of Belarus and Russia. We wish everyone good health and strength, prosperity and strength of spirit, professional accomplishments and peaceful skies above their heads!”
In turn, Oleg Novitsky mentioned tight cooperation of thousands of Russian and Belarusian scientists, engineers, specialists that create state-of-the-art space technologies and equipment. “It has allowed reaching the level of contacts and interaction that made our joint flight to the ISS possible. We hope that results of scientific experiments, which are conducted during this mission, will contribute to further advancement of joint activities of research officers and technical specialists of Belarus and Russia. And certainly, they will contribute to stronger scientific and technological sovereignty of our two brotherly countries,” he stressed.
Marina Vasilevskaya is the first Belarusian cosmonaut since the country became independent. She arrived at the International Space Station on board the manned crew transfer vehicle Soyuz MS-25. The 21st visiting expedition to the ISS also includes the pilot-cosmonaut, Hero of Russia, native of Belarus Oleg Novitsky and the U.S. flight engineer, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson. The 21st visiting expedition is expected to work in the Russian segment of the ISS for 12 days.
