Press releases

Belarusian cosmonaut’s return to Earth scheduled for 6 April

MOSCOW, 1 April (BelTA) – The return of Soyuz MS-24 crew comprising flight commander, Hero fo Russia, Belarusian national Oleg Novitsky, Belarus’ first woman cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya and NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for 10:19 am on 6 April, BelTA learned from the Roscosmos State Corporation.

The spacecraft is expected to land on the steppe in Kazakhstan, near the towns of Zhezkazgan and Arkalyk. Specialists of the medical service of the Russian Armed Forces, Russian pilots and ground search and rescue teams have completed the regrouping of forces in order to ensure the spacecraft’s safe landing. “Military medics of the Central Military District have taken new operational positions near the main and reserve landing areas of the Soyuz MS-24. “Russian specialists will carry air and ground duty within the areas of Zhezkazgan and Arkalyk for timely detection of the descent vehicle and ensuring safe landing of the Soyuz MS-24 crew,” the press service of the district said.

Involved in search and rescue support of the crew will be about 200 servicemen, Mi-8 helicopters, An-12 and An-26 airplanes, as well as ground equipment, including Russia’s Blue Bird search and rescue vehicles PEM-1 and PEM-2.

Preparations are also underway at the International Space Station for the landing of the Soyuz MS-24 manned spacecraft. According to Roscosmos, the crew members have checked the Sokol-KV2 emergency suits before the descent, dried the spacesuits and gloves, stored them in the airlock, fitted the Kentavr compression suits.

Meanwhile, Marina Vasilevskaya continues to implement the scientific program developed by the National Academy of Sciences together with Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences. The program includes seven tasks - five research and two educational projects. Research is carried out in biology, physiology, autonomous functioning of space stations, remote sensing of the Earth with the use of photo and video spectral equipment of Belarusian production located on the ISS. Lactoferrin and probiotics produced by NASB scientific organizations are also being studied for their possible use in the creation of food products for astronauts.

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