By Ilona Krasutskaya: 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.
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.
All in all, Oleg Novitsky has completed 2 space missions, which equals 340 days in orbit. In the course of his last expedition, our famous fellow countryman, together with his colleagues, conducted fifty scientific studies, studied the limits of the pain threshold in space, the effect of radiation on a person, and observed the behavior of plasma in zero gravity.
Astronauts are only allowed to take one kilogram of things in orbit. Nevertheless, Novitsky decided to take with him the national symbol of the country - the flag. In his interviews, Novitsky often confessed that during the flight it was a great moral support. Upon returning, he handed over his personal belongings that he took with him in orbit to the funds of the Modern Belarusian Statehood Museum - they include his space suit, rescue equipment, as well as the national flag.
In 2012, Belarus officially became a space power, when the first satellite from Baikonur Cosmodrome was launched. It is still working, and pictures from the BKA-1 satellite are used by 11 Belarusian ministries, as well as foreign agencies. The device monitors fires and floods, helps in the development of mineral deposits, and conducts environmental monitoring. The warranty period of operation expires by mid-2017, but a decision has been taken to leave the device in space till late 2018. The satellite could work even longer - it has enough fuel to last until 2020. By this time, Belarus plans to put into orbit one more complex with the latest equipment.
In the course of 16 years, the Union State of Belarus and Russia has implemented 5 scientific and technical space programmes, with two more now being implemented. The creation of new satellites has also brought our industry to a new level. Many modern machines now have parts that are branded "made in Belarus". For example, instruments and systems made by PELENG have worked on 35 space vehicles. Here, they have created a 50 centimeter ultra-high resolution camera that can let one see the Gulf of Finland from Minsk.
Now, Novitsky is having a recovery period. But there is still a lot of sport in his life. Every morning he jogs some 4 to 5 kilometers. Also, he is planning to build a house - here, in Belarus.
Oleg Novitsky, a cosmonaut: "Even after the first flight I said that I see myself living in my homeland. I don’t want an apartment - I want to build my own house here - maybe because I spent my entire childhood in a private house. And, while I am still on holidays, I'll try to, at least, begin. Next, I will most likely start preparing for my next flight, so I want to use the time on these holidays to its maximum."
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.
