MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – A Belarusian-Russian satellite is scheduled for launch in 2021, BelTA learned from Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov on 25 April.
The official said: “The Belarusian satellite for the remote sensing of Earth has been in orbit for many years now. It has recouped the investments several times over. We are now working with Russian colleagues on a new satellite that will boast a larger resolution capability. We've already finished the conceptual design. We are now working on the list of equipment. Everything proceeds in a routine manner. There are plans to insert the satellite into orbit in 2021.”
The Belarusian satellite BKA was launched in 2012. Belarus became a member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 2013.
A session of the General Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is in progress in Minsk today. The General Meeting is the supreme collegiate authority to run the Academy of Sciences. Taking part in the session are about 500 representatives of academic science, university science, and industry science, young Belarusian scientists as well as representatives of government agencies. Participants of the session are supposed to discuss results of the work done in 2018, the development tasks the Academy and the country's scientific sphere will have to accomplish in 2019, and amendments to the regulation on electing members of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. “Everything we are working on are innovative products of the fifth and sixth technological paradigms. We are working at the forefront of scientific research. Today we are going to sum up results of this work,” Vladimir Gusakov said.
The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is intimately involved in the innovative development of all spheres of the economy and public life. As many as 14 enterprises, labs, and prototype technology facilities were set up at premises of the Academy in 2018. Three new facilities were commissioned as a result of the government program on Belarus' innovation-driven development in 2016-2020. Two of the facilities reached the designed output capacity: the production of an automated module for the dry concentration of mineral raw materials and the production of automated equipment for ion plasma hardening (nitro-carburizing) of component surfaces. A high-tech export-oriented facility to make optic components and laser systems with a new-generation diode pumping system has been prepared. The production of compact municipal vehicles was launched at premises of ODO Dormashexpo thanks to efforts of the Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
Belarusian scientists continue working hard to explore Antarctica. The 11th Belarusian Antarctic expedition was solemnly launched in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in October 2018. Specialists in various fields of science are busy exploring Antarctica and building a Belarusian Antarctic station.
