Lukashenko on whether there will be new enrolment of pretenders for space flight in Belarus

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko was asked at today’s meeting with BSUIR students whether there will be a new enrolment of pretenders for a space flight, as it was organised before the launch of a spacecraft with the first cosmonaut in the history of sovereign Belarus, Marina Vasilevskaya, into orbit, BelTA reports

"It is clear that Vasilevskaya was part of my agreements with President Putin. I understand what going into orbit means. It requires training and much money," the Head of State noted. "He treated the issue like an elder brother."

Answering a question from one of the participants of the meeting, Aleksandr Lukashenko said, “It’s not a problem for you to fly into space, I can arrange for you to join the cosmonaut squad. However, you will fly there maybe in 11-12 years – as it should be, in line with the cosmonaut training programme. Time is needed. Well, there will be a slight advantage for you since you are a lady. After all, there are practically no women in the Russian cosmonaut squad."

The President said that – when the first flight of the representative of Belarus was being planned – the participation of a woman was discussed. After a selection round, Marina Vasilevskaya flew into space. "It's like an exception. Actually, it will be your ability that will be needed for a flight. Of course, I will support you, but it will take years. You will have to develop a certain [scientific] programme: i.e. you may breed cockroaches or some plants at the station. A specific programme will be needed, and the process will last for years,” the Head of State said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that cosmonaut is a profession, and it is necessary to grow within it all the time. “The one who has a goal will reach it sooner or later,” the President assured.