Russia picking space flight candidates from Belarus

December 21, BPN. The Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow has begun selecting candidates from Belarus to fly into space on Russia’s Soyuz MS spacecraft, the press service of the Roscosmos state corporation reports.

“Six candidates have arrived in Russia, who will soon undergo medical examinations at the CTC. The main medical commission will use their results to determine the candidates’ fitness for a space flight,” it said.

Belarus’ participation in the Russian space program was discussed during the meeting between Alaksandr Łukašenka and Vladimir Putin at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome on April 12.

The history of space exploration knows three Belarusian astronauts: Piotr Klimuk (December 18-26, 1973), Uładzimir Kavalonak (October 9-11, 1977) and Aleh Navicki (September 16-November 18, 2012). All three were sent into space by Russia/USSR.