Nikolai Lukashenko, son of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, participated in a realistic training sequence that focused on docking procedures for the Soyuz MS spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. The session occurred during a visit to the Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center, also known as TsPK, a facility renowned for preparing cosmonauts for the rigors of orbital operations. Nearby, Star City sits just outside Moscow, serving as a historic hub for spaceflight training. This event was reported by authorities and documented as part of ongoing spaceflight readiness activities.
Within the program, CPC staff guided Nikolai through a high-fidelity simulator used by astronauts to rehearse docking and approach maneuvers ahead of an actual mission. The exercise was conducted under the supervision of his father, adding a public dimension to what is typically a highly technical training event. The group also toured facilities that include the hydrolaboratory, which enables underwater simulations of orbital docking, the simulators for the Russian segment of the ISS, and the Soyuz MS spacecraft cockpit models. The Belarusian participant received targeted training designed to sharpen skills essential for bold spaceflight goals, including precise approach sequences, attitude control, and comms discipline that are critical in a microgravity environment.
In recent coverage, officials indicated that Lukashenko had visited the training center to review the astronaut selection and training framework. The center is responsible for evaluating and selecting applicants for spaceflight from Belarus, with a pool that has included several young women in the current cycle. The broader context emphasizes sustained collaboration in space exploration, a theme repeatedly highlighted by regional leaders as they explore joint ventures and talent development in aerospace, engineering, and science. Plans regarding Belarusian participation in future space missions have been discussed at the highest levels, reflecting a shared interest with Russia in advancing spaceflight capabilities and collaborative research initiatives. This cooperation underscores a broader strategy to develop national and regional expertise, expand educational opportunities, and inspire a new generation of space professionals across the participating nations.