Vasilevskaya's first words after returning to Earth: Belarus, thanks for support

The first cosmonaut of Belarus, Marina Vasilevskaya, has thanked Belarus for its support after returning to Earth, BelTA reports from the Roscosmos Mission Control Centre

"Belarus, thank you for your support!" Marina Vasilevskaya said in her first interview after landing. “I wish all people on Earth to appreciate and cherish all that we have. We knew that we were being waited for on Earth, and that fact warmed our souls. Belarus is here, and I am very glad. We could have spent a couple of weeks more in space, but Earth was waiting for us.”

The crew landed successfully at 10.17 Minsk time, south-east of the Kazakh city of Jezkazgan.

Marina Vasilevskaya's flight lasted 14 days, twelve of which she spent on the International Space Station, where she was engaged into performing a scientific programme developed by the National Academy of Sciences in co-operation with Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences. It included seven experiments: five research and two educational ones. Scientific research was carried out in the field of biology, physiology, autonomous operation of space stations, remote sensing of Earth using photo and video spectral equipment of Belarusian production located on the ISS. Lactoferrin and probiotics produced by scientific organisations of the National Academy of Sciences were also studied for their subsequent possible use in the creation of food for cosmonauts.