Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky came to rest in Belarus for a week
Everyone who watched the broadcast of the procession on May 9, were intrigued. What has presented the Belarusian cosmonaut to President Alexander Lukashenko? For the majority of the audience (incidentally, and TV presenters), this moment of festive program was the apparent surprise. The correspondent of «R» has met with Oleg NOVITSKI and get answers to the question, that interest many people. And the reporter learned how to receive the famous countryman in his native Cherven, how he plans to spend a holiday in Belarus and why with such excitement awaits the onset of September.
— You can, I’ll try to guess. It was a collector`s edition about the Russian cosmonauts and space exploration?
— You do not have guessed. It was the national flag of the Republic of Belarus, which I took with me to the International Space Station. To be honest, I thought to give it as a gift to one of the museums of Minsk. About this intention accidentally learned Governor of Minsk Region Boris Batura and helped to organize this meeting on May 9. I admit, I was infinitely gratifying and exciting to talk with Alexander Grigoryevich and to go in the festive column with veterans.
— It turns out that you do not really have time to be at home in Cherven? Right from the ship to the ball?
— Something like this. Eighth day of May, we arrived late at night in Cherven, ninth all day we were in Minsk, the eleventh of May – too. Nothing, lack of sleep – this is easily remedied ... I’m on vacation.
— Do you now continue to recover?
— You could say that. First there were three weeks of so-called acute rehabilitation in Zvezdny City. At this time, we barely walk, holding hands of the wall. Then on day 21 the crew was sent to a sanatorium in Karlovy Vary. Now I have 30 days post-flight holiday. Then I will return back to the Zvezdny City, and I will restore the physical form. Indeed, in September I will wait for the final medical committee, which will assess the state of health, and if all goes well, it will put me on a waiting list. This is quite a serious and responsible moment.
— How many times you can still fly into space?
— If you’re talking about age restrictions, they are not. For example, the head of the Cosmonaut Training Center Sergei Krikalev flew into space six times. There are examples where people climb into orbit at the age of 60 years if experience and state of health allows...
— As you recall today of the semi-annual trip to space?
— Off and landing. This is the most intense moments of the expedition.
— What are the things with the International Space Station were you have after the flight?
— Badges, flags and other souvenirs that I took with me on board. Two hand-written letters from my wife, that delivered the «Progress». Photographs of Minsk and Cherven from orbit. And this clock on the hand, colleagues from NASA gave them to each member of the crew, when we were in Houston. And the cosmic and earthly time they show with exceptional accuracy.
— How did the hometown Cherven meet countryman-astronaut? The street in your honor is not going to rename?
— I do not know, are going or not, but I am against it. And met me just great! As in the old days during weddings, the parents of my friends and our familiar blocked the street and have put on the table a few bottles of champagne, chocolates. I raised a wine glass with each for meeting.
The next day was a solemn meeting in the executive committee. You know, I’m a modest person and from this kind of attention just lose one’s head.
— You are not yet accustomed to the status of media person?
— I guess I’ll never get used. For four days in Belarus this media person so tired of journalists and meetings that burns only one desire – to switch off the mobile phone and spend time with mom. When I went to Cherven and dreamed all the way: here I get home, I will take a steam bathhouse, go to the forest, and fry shashlik. But what actually happened? I do not split the wood, not helped his mother with the housework, all the while I was in traveling. This coming week I will be urgently make up for lost.
