Opinions & Interviews

FM: Space exploration opens new technological opportunities for Belarus

MINSK, 18 July (BelTA) - The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting The First Star exhibition by the Belarusian artist, director of the National Center for Contemporary Art Sergei Krishtapovich, BelTA has learned.

The exposition celebrates the flight of the first cosmonaut in the history of sovereign Belarus.

“In fact, this is the most important stage in the development of our state. The flight of our first cosmonaut became possible thanks to the hard work of tens of thousands of specialists from Belarus and Russia,” Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov said. “It is a locomotive of many processes: both the technological development of our country and positioning of the country as a space power.”

But the history of space exploration by Belarusians began much earlier, the minister noted. He recalled that the Union State has implemented joint space programs for many years already, and the successful experience of this cooperation had laid the foundation for new landmark decisions.

“A huge amount of work has been done to select and train the cosmonaut. I am very proud, very happy for Marina Vasilevskaya. She passed a great amount of tests, exams and training,” Maksim Ryzhenkov emphasized.

The exhibition launch ceremony was attended by cosmonaut, Hero of Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya. She handed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a souvenir from space - the flag of Belarus, which had been in space, and the emblem of her crew.

“It is really very important for our country. It was a difficult journey, indeed. Thank God, everything worked out, and the space is ours. This is our common victory,” Marina Vasilevskaya emphasized.

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