The head of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus told by what criteria the country selected candidates for cosmonauts
On April 12, Vladimir Putin instructed Roscosmos to ensure the flight of a Belarusian cosmonaut on a Russian ship. Ethnic Belarusians flew into space during the USSR or under the auspices of Roscosmos, like Oleg Novitsky, but never as representatives of an independent republic. The selection of candidates for the flight was entrusted to the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and recently it sent a list of potential cosmonauts to Roscosmos. "Newspaper.Ru" talked with the chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov about how this list was formed, what exactly Belarusian cosmonauts will do in orbit and whether the representation of citizens of the republic in space will become permanent.
- From whom are cosmonauts selected? Is priority given to military pilots, as it was in the USSR and the USA, to scientists, or are all volunteers accepted?
- I apologize for some "dryness" of the answer to this question, but I will use the official wording. Thus, applicants for candidates for preparation for a space flight were considered male and female citizens of the Republic of Belarus, permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, who submitted an application in the prescribed form with a request to participate in the selection and expressed their willingness to undergo a medical examination in accordance with the basic medical requirements for participants in space flights of the state Corporation Roscosmos. In fact, there were no special requirements or restrictions on the type of activity, specifics of civil or military service.
- By what criteria are people selected? After all, since Gagarin's time, health requirements have ceased to be strict, and high automation allows sending not only professionals into space.
- Specialists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus got acquainted in detail with the experience of Russian colleagues in the selection of candidates for space flight. It is carried out in accordance with the requirements for the state of health of participants in space flights, which are determined by the state corporation "Roscosmos". I would like to note that one of the selection criteria is the ability of a candidate for cosmonauts to carry out a program of scientific research intended to be carried out on the ISS. Although health requirements are still in the first place.
The criteria were applied purely functional: education, professional qualifications and work experience. In particular, candidates were considered persons aged 25 to 40 years with higher education (preferably under the master's, postgraduate, doctoral degree program), or having an academic degree, academic title in the following key areas: physics, physical and technical sciences and technologies, medical sciences, chemistry, botany, biological sciences, aviation and rocket and space technology, instrumentation, optical and biotechnical systems and technologies.
Candidates must have at least three years of work experience in the specialty after receiving their first higher education, as well as speak English in the scope of the program of a non-linguistic higher educational institution.
- At what stage is the selection at the moment?
- In the period from April to June, we formed a group of candidates and organized their medical examination in healthcare institutions in Belarus. According to the results of the survey, 29 people were recommended for further selection, 9 of them women. The next stage of selection is the area of competence of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center of the Roscosmos State Corporation. According to the results of the second stage, the Belarusian applicants (the main and the understudy) will be determined to prepare for the space flight.
- What tasks do Belarusian cosmonauts plan to solve in orbit?
- The list of directions of the scientific program has been agreed with Russian colleagues. It involves conducting scientific research using the achievements and achievements of Belarusian scientists in the field of medicine, biology, physiology, as well as ensuring the autonomous functioning of space stations and remote sensing of the Earth.
A detailed list of the target works of the Belarusian cosmonaut will be determined jointly with the state corporation "Roscosmos" in the process of preparing for the flight.
- Are there plans to make the presence of Belarusians in space permanent?
- The flight of a cosmonaut of sovereign Belarus into near-Earth orbit is a kind of pilot project. Based on its results, it is necessary to give a balanced comprehensive assessment of the prospects of specially organized space research on scientific issues of mutual interest.
The basis for this is our serious scientific achievements, as well as the responsibility, efficiency and other qualities of Belarusians who have proven themselves reliable allies and partners.
- Is there any equipment in Belarus for preliminary training of cosmonaut candidates?
- The direct training of cosmonauts in Belarus was not carried out even during the Soviet Union. Therefore, of course, we do not have highly specific capabilities, including laboratories and equipment for such training. Cosmonauts-natives of our country Pyotr Klimuk, Vladimir Kovalenok and Oleg Novitsky were trained for space flights in Russia. The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center has all the necessary infrastructure and equipment.
At the same time, there is a Belarusian-made video and photo-spectral equipment on the ISS, which is used by Russian cosmonauts to conduct scientific experiments on remote sensing of the Earth and near-Earth space. The Belarusian cosmonaut will also have to conduct a number of scientific experiments using this equipment. Thus, the Belarusian participation is seen not only in the presentation of talented and physically healthy candidates, but also in their knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as in hardware, technical and technological support for space research.
Vasily Zaitsev
