Space crew with Belarusian cosmonaut safely out of reentry module

KOROLYOV, 6 April (BelTA) – The space crew, which includes the first cosmonaut of sovereign Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya, the Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and the NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, has safely got out of the reentry module after their return to Earth, a BelTA journalist reports from Roscosmos’ mission control center.

The reentry vehicle routinely landed at 10:17 Minsk time about 150km to the southeast of the city of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Helicopters landed next to the module virtually right away. Rescue workers opened the hatches and helped the crew get out of the module. The commander Oleg Novitsky came out first. He was followed by Loral O'Hara. Marina Vasilevskaya was the last one to exit the lander.

The cosmonauts were put in armchairs right away. Medics started examining them, measuring their pulse and blood pressure.

The landing and the welcome the cosmonauts received were broadcast live to the mission control center where in addition to Roscosmos specialists and reporters a number of guests had been invited to come, including Oleg Novitsky’s eldest daughter Yana.

The crew is supposed to be transported to Zvyozdny Gorodok, Moscow Oblast today where they will be examined by medics and will undergo rehabilitation.

Marina Vasilevskaya’s flight lasted for 14 days, including 12 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). While on the ISS Marina Vasilevskaya carried out a research program, which had been developed by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in association with Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences. It included seven experiments: five for the sake of scientific research and two for education purposes. The scientific studies focused on biology, physiology, autonomous operation of space stations, the remote sensing of Earth using photo and video spectrum equipment of Belarusian make already on board the International Space Station. The lactoferrin and probiotics made by scientific organizations of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus were examined as well in order to evaluate the possibility of using them later to create food for cosmonauts.