Novitsky, Vasilevskaya’s space flight seen as contribution to cosmonautics development

ZVYOZDNY GORODOK, 15 May (BelTA) – I am sure that our flight with Marina Vasilevskaya, the first cosmonaut of sovereign Belarus, will contribute to the development of cosmonautics, cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky told the media in Zvyozdny Gorodok on 15 May, BelTA has learned.  

“The new experience gained during the flight is certainly necessary for the development of cosmonautics, because the time will come when people will fly into space more often. The experience gained will certainly come in handy,” Oleg Novitsky said.  

In his words, their space program was completely fulfilled, which was reported during the flight debriefing. “There were practically no remarks. The flight was really interesting. Due to the failure of the equipment, the flight time was increased by two days, which Marina Vasilevskaya liked very much. As for the second launch, I think that life will put everything in its place.”  

“Of course, it is not quite correct to compare short and long flights as they are absolutely different tasks. We did well, even though we had less time to accomplish everything we had to do,” Oleg Novitsky said.

The crew of Visiting Expedition 21 to the International Space Station were honored in Zvyozdny Gorodok on 15 May. Hero of Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya and Hero of Russia Oleg Novitsky laid wreaths at the monument to the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Then the cosmonauts attended a ceremony in the House of Cosmonauts and took part in an autograph session.