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First Spacecraft Launches with Flight Attendant Aboard
For the inaugural time, a spacecraft successfully embarked on its journey with a flight attendant on board, although traditional in-flight services were not provided. Marina Vasilevskaya, a former flight instructor for Belavia Airlines in Belarus, transitioned from her attendant role to donning a Russian Sokol pressure suit, becoming the first Belarusian to venture into space. Accompanied by cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky of Roscosmos and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, she launched aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft on a mission to the International Space Station.
“A National Project of Great Honor and Responsibility”
Prior to her departure to the launch pad, Vasilevskaya expressed her deep sentiments about the undertaking, stating, “It’s a big honor for me and a big responsibility to be in this unbelievable mission. This is our national project. It’s such a big honor. I’m so proud to represent our republic.” The trio of crewmates embarked from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan atop a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, after a brief delay due to a low voltage warning.
Approximately nine minutes into the flight, a small figurine of “Sharik,” a character from a Soviet-era cartoon, indicated the crew’s arrival into Earth orbit by floating freely. The Soyuz is currently en route for an autonomous docking with the station after orbiting the planet 34 times, scheduled to link up at 11:09 a.m. EDT on Monday.
Welcoming the New Arrivals
Upon arrival at the International Space Station, Novitsky, Dyson, and Vasilevskaya will be greeted by Expedition 70 commander Oleg Kononenko and other crew members from various space agencies. Dyson will join the resident crew as a flight engineer for the next six months. Novitsky and Vasilevskaya will stay aboard the station for approximately 12 days before returning to Earth on Soyuz MS-24, landing in Kazakstan on April 6. Kononenko and another crew member will extend their stay to accommodate Vasilevskaya’s visit.
A Selection Process of Distinction
Vasilevskaya, aged 33, was chosen to participate in this spaceflight through a rigorous selection process conducted by the Belarus Academy of Sciences and Belarus Space Agency. Her selection from a pool of over 3,000 female candidates as one of six finalists highlights her exceptional credentials and capabilities. Notably, her professional background in ballroom dancing and experience as a flight attendant have equipped her with the skills necessary for emergency situations.
Novitsky and Dyson, seasoned space travelers with extensive experience, round out the Soyuz MS-25 crew, marking the commencement of a historic mission with fundamentally diverse backgrounds coming together with a common goal in space exploration.
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