Lukashenko speaks about Belarus-Russia space exploration plans

As for the continuation of space flights, an agreement has been reached between the two countries that Russia may include, if such a need arises, representatives of Belarus in the program of permanent training with long-term tasks. “Putin and I have reached an agreement and he said that Russia is ready to include Belarusians in a group of cosmonauts,” the head of state said. “If someone wants to, you are most welcome. We have agreed with Russia to do so on a competitive basis. If you pass the competition, you will be in the group of cosmonauts. This is hard work, with great risk. But, of course, it is very popular.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned Russia's plans to build its orbital station. “Putin told me that Russia is are to build their space station. Now there is an international state station where our cosmonaut conducted a space flight. Russia is going to build its own. The Russian president invited Belarus to join and do it together as far as possible. We will think about it. If our specialists decide to do it, we will take part in the project. This is however not the main thing for us. We need to preserve our sector.”

The head of state explained that Belarus has had its own niche in the space industry since the Soviet times. These are various satellites, microelectronics. “We produce a lot for space - microelectronics, chips. We help the cosmonautics, which has been preserved in Russia since the Soviet times. In Soviet times, we produced a lot, from instruments to spacecraft outer cover,” he said. “We continue making good space satellites for the Earth remote sensing. We can make communication satellites and many more. This is our niche. We are working in this direction and will continue to do so. Plus microelectronics. We have prudently preserved our production.”