Yesterday, on April 26, 2024, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus hosted a solemn meeting of the country's youth with cosmonauts of the Republic of Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya and Anastasia Lenkova. More than 500 students of the capital's universities and colleges, young scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, representatives of the BRSM took part in the event, including students and employees of the Belarusian National Technical University.
For reference: Marina Vasilevskaya's space flight to the ISS lasted 14 days – from March 23 to April 6, 2024. Of these, she spent 12 days on the International Space Station, where she carried out a scientific program developed by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus jointly with the State Corporation Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Schoolchildren and students were interested in what kind of training was, how life on the ISS works, what astronauts feel during flight and landing. Marina Vasilevskaya was pleased to share her experience and noted that the support of the people helped her to cope with all the difficulties.
– When I first saw the planet through the observation window of the ISS, I literally cried with happiness. Tears, of course, did not flow like a stream – this is impossible in zero gravity, but they accumulated in my eyes: I did not part with a paper napkin for several minutes. When I was asked why I was crying, I replied that I was happy. The earth is stunningly beautiful. You feel like the hero of a fantastic movie. Now I understand why many children have a dream of becoming an astronaut. I admit, I would love to stay on board the ISS for another week.
BNTU students and employees managed to communicate with the Hero of Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya. So, a student of the Faculty of Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship Polina Bukalo asked Marina Vitalievna the question "How did your family and friends react to your decision to conquer space?" and after a detailed answer invited the cosmonaut to visit our university.
Stand-in cosmonaut Anastasia Lenkova also received a lot of questions. Now the girl is actively engaged in scientific activities. In the space project, she gained experience and knowledge that will contribute to the development of Belarusian science. To the question "Why should Belarusians explore space?" the girl replied:
– You can talk a lot about high matters, but space is literally in every home. Starting with air purification systems, water, infrared thermometers and ending with sports shoes and freeze–dried food - all these are the results of space research and development based on them. Space is much closer than it seems. It's great that we have the opportunity to explore it.
At the end of the event, students and employees received autographs from Marina Vasilevskaya. Such a meeting is far from the last, because Marina Vasilevskaya plans to visit educational institutions and tell even the youngest researchers about space.
We wish the cosmonauts success in scientific research and invite them to visit the Belarusian National Technical University again!
