This week, Alexander Lukashenko met with the world-famous Belarusian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky. In early June, Novitsky returned from the International Space Station. The cosmonaut spent nearly 200 days in orbit.
The atmosphere of the meeting was pleasant, and Alexander Lukashenko and Oleg Novitsky had a sincere conversation about life – both in space and on earth. We talked for more than two hours about Belarus as a space power, about science and construction of space vehicles. After that, they exchanged gifts. Oleg Novitsky presented Alexander Lukashenko with a photograph of the ISS crew and his watch that he took on orbit. In his turn, the Belarusian President gave Oleg Novitsky a first copy of the book about the symbol of the Belarusian statehood – the Palace of Independence.
In December, Oleg Novitsky will undergo a medical check-up. If doctors give their consent, he will be able to begin preparations for his third expedition to the ISS. Novitsky is optimistic and does not doubt his abilities at all. As a person who has to have a purpose, he is confident that if you commit, then all the stars and the entire universe will be yours. Next year, Belarus will host the XXXI Congress of the Association of Space Explorers. Oleg Novitsky has confirmed his participation.
