Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko presented an officer’s dagger to Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky on Cosmonautics Day, a gesture confirmed by the Telegram channel First Pool. During his Moscow visit, Lukashenko met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and together they spoke with cosmonauts Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya. The two leaders emphasized friendship and continued collaboration in space exploration, with an eye toward the future missions and shared scientific goals.
On March 23 a Belarusian citizen joined the crew of Soyuz MS-25 for a mission to the International Space Station. By April 6 Vasilevskaya, Novitsky, and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara took part in a coordinated landing sequence on the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft, touching down in Kazakhstan southeast of the town of Zhezkazgan. This landing marked a successful conclusion of a complex joint operation involving multiple international partners and space agencies, highlighting the enduring cooperation in manned spaceflight and the ongoing cadence of ISS expeditions.
A ceremony on April 11 at the Independence Palace saw Vasilevskaya receive the Hero of Belarus award. Vasilevskaya stands as the Republic of Belarus’s first female cosmonaut, a milestone celebrated as a symbol of national achievement in science, technology, and exploration. The Hero of Belarus title is the highest state honor in the country and is reserved for extraordinary contributions that advance the nation on the global stage. The recognition underscored Belarusian commitments to fostering talent in the space sector and inspiring future generations of engineers, scientists, and astronauts.
On April 12 Vladimir Putin announced that cosmonauts Dmitry Petelin and Andrey Fedyaev were awarded the title Hero of Russia. The honor further reflected the deep ties between the Russian space program and its international partners, acknowledging exceptional achievements in exploration, research, and the advancement of space technology. The ceremony highlighted ongoing collaboration across agencies and nations, reinforcing shared goals in science, safety, and exploration.
In related developments Roscosmos approved plans for a seven module domestic orbital station project. This initiative signals continued momentum in expanding Russia’s orbital capabilities and contributes to a broader conversation about future space infrastructure, long duration missions, and the evolving architecture of human spaceflight. The project aligns with global discussions about international cooperation, sustainable operations in orbit, and new avenues for research and commercial activities in space. Source reporting notes the timeline and scope of the plan, illustrating how national space programs are aligning with evolving strategic priorities.