Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the ongoing preparations for a Belarusian crew to venture into space, outlining that all six candidates who meet medical requirements will have the opportunity to fly. He shared these remarks during a visit to the Cosmonaut Training Center, where officials from the Russian space program were present to discuss the training and selection process. The statement was reported by TASS and referenced by Yu A. Gagarin as part of the briefing on the center’s activities.
Lukashenko emphasized that the final selection would hinge on the applicants’ health status. He noted that if a candidate passes medical evaluations, they will not be excluded from the mission solely on preliminary assessments. This point underscored the importance of robust health and fitness criteria in maintaining spaceflight readiness for each candidate who qualifies.
The Belarusian leader also indicated a staged approach to flight assignments. Those who do not participate in the first mission would be considered for subsequent flights, ensuring continued opportunities for capable cosmonauts. In addition, Lukashenko mentioned that cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky would oversee the review process for the applicants, providing guidance and expert assessment as part of the selection workflow.
The visit to Star City took place on December 24, during a broader trip to Russia that included a stop at the TsPK imeni Gagarina, the Research Test Cosmonaut Training Center. Located near Moscow, this historic facility serves as a pivotal hub for preparing space travelers through rigorous training programs, simulations, and evaluation drills. The exchange highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Belarus and Russia in space exploration.
During the tour, Lukashenko received a detailed briefing on how the center conducts its selection and training activities. The briefing outlined the comprehensive pipeline used to identify and train Belarusian applicants for spaceflight, including medical screening, aptitude testing, physical conditioning, and simulated mission scenarios. At present, the center is evaluating a cohort of six Belarusian candidates, all of whom are women, who are currently undergoing the training and assessment required to qualify for space missions. The emphasis on these six individuals reflects a deliberate effort to advance female participation in high-profile spaceflight programs and to demonstrate the capability of Belarusian specialists to contribute to international crewed missions.