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Author
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Topic: Belarus cosmonauts to fly on Russia's Soyuz
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50390
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-24-2022 03:04 PM
   
Belarusian Telegraph Agency release Belarusian cosmonaut candidates namedThe names of the Belarusian candidates for a manned space flight have been revealed. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with the Belarusian cosmonaut candidates at the Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Center in Russia on 24 December, BelTA has learned.  Above: Belarusian cosmonaut candidates, from left to right: Olga Mastitskaya, Marina Vasilevskaya, Daria Mikhnyuk, Anastasia Lenkova, Olga Gerasimova and Victoria Fidrus. The Belarusian candidates for a manned space flight are: Belavia stewardesses Marina Vasilevskaya and Viktoriya Fidrus, a forensic expert from Brest Oblast Darya Mikhnyuk, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Baranovichi Olga Gerasimova, a pediatric surgeon from the National Center for Pediatric Surgery Anastasiya Lenkova, and a junior research scientist from the Institute of Physical Organic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Olga Mastitskaya. Aleksandr Lukashenko was told that more than 3,000 people were interviewed. Six best candidates remain at this stage. They are currently undergoing full-time medical examination at the Research and Test Cosmonaut Center. More than half of the planned examinations have been carried out. The candidates have high morale and good physical condition.  Aleksandr Lukashenko said what he agreed upon with Yury Borisov, Director General of Roscosmos State Space Corporation. "In his words, if they are all healthy, they will not get lost here. They will be used in the Russian-Belarusian segment of space flights. Don't worry. Who will not fly into space this time will do it next time. There will be enough work for everyone," said the head of state. "Thank you very much. I am sure we will meet with you more. I wish you every success. You will not regret joining this team," the president added. The Belarusian representatives expressed gratitude for support and opportunity to be among the candidates for a space flight. They also confirmed their readiness to represent Belarus well on the ISS. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5241
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-24-2022 05:01 PM
Nice genes; defective leader. |
dom
Member Posts: 1033
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 12-24-2022 05:17 PM
The fact that out of 3,000 candidates considered, the six finalists chosen are all photogenic women says it all. A propaganda mission designed purely to please two ageing macho dictators… |
issman1
Member Posts: 1105
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 12-25-2022 09:20 AM
North Americans and western Europeans like to boast of diversity, equality and inclusion within their astronaut ranks.But when Belarus selects a women-only shortlist of cosmonauts, it's "propaganda"? |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 1290
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-25-2022 03:22 PM
I would guess that this would be the first female Belorussian cosmonaut to fly in space. |
dom
Member Posts: 1033
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 12-25-2022 06:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
North Americans and western Europeans like to boast of diversity, equality and inclusion within their astronaut ranks.
We do, so where are the men in this line up.  |
Neil DC
Member Posts: 193
From: Middletown, NJ, USA
Registered: May 2010
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posted 12-27-2022 12:38 PM
At the ASE in Minsk in 2018, Klimuk, Kovalyonok and Novitsky were hailed as Belarussian cosmonauts. They received special treatment. No doubt this is a new stunt for Belarus. Along the same lines as the 8 lady candidates recently selected for Tunisia. |
dcfowler1
Member Posts: 140
From: Eugene, OR
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-27-2022 10:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
But when Belarus selects a women-only shortlist of cosmonauts, it's "propaganda"?
When it's an obvious stunt, and not part of a well-considered program of diverse hiring, yes. |
perineau
Member Posts: 367
From: FRANCE
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 12-28-2022 04:49 AM
It's kinda sad to see that space travel today is becoming little more than a multi-million dollar publicity stunt for one reason or another. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50390
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-28-2022 09:53 AM
I think something is being missed in this discussion: the women themselves. So long as they were not forced to apply, that each genuinely met the requirements and can pass Roscosmos' training program, then they will each bring to the experience their own perspectives, just like every other candidate who has ever flown, regardless of how or why they were selected. At this point in history, less than one-sixth of the world's space travelers have been women. It is going to take time for that population to reflect the larger society on Earth. Given the reluctance by one of the three spacefaring nations to add women to its own corps, the Belarus and Tunisia selections will help (in a small way) make up for that inequality. |
Tonyq
Member Posts: 211
From: UK
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 02-15-2023 02:56 AM
The proposed flight of the Belorussian woman is delayed until early 2024, due to the knock-on impact of issues with Soyuz MS-22. Whether is takes place at all will likely depend on military and political developments in Russia and Belarus, between now, and then. |
Tonyq
Member Posts: 211
From: UK
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 05-06-2023 12:56 PM
Having established contact with several members of the Belarusian cosmonaut candidate group, I can confirm that only two are now in contention for the seat on Soyuz MS-25. The two finalists for the Belarusian seat on Soyuz MS-25 are now known to be Anastasia Lenkova, a surgeon, and Marina Vasilevskaya, cabin crew. It is not clear if the prime candidate has been chosen, or if this will be decided later. |
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