Astronautics allows us to smooth out contradictions and unite members of the society, making them the people of the world. Executive director of ‘Roskosmos’ manned space program, Sergei Krikalev, said in an interview with a ‘VK’ correspondent on the sidelines of the ISS video press-conference, dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the first manned space.
Sergei Krikalev is a Russian astronaut, as of October 11, 2005, he holds the world record for the longest time spent in space - 803 days during six mission. Krikalev is the Hero of the Soviet Union, the first Hero of Russia, and he is one of four people who were awarded both of the titles. He is also a full member (academician) at the Tsiolkovsky Russian Academy of Cosmonautics. In 2009-2014 he headed the Yuri Gagarin Research Institute at the Cosmonaut Training Center.
"Astronautics is a good thing that makes us the people of the world,’’ he stressed.
For example, in general the cooperation between Russia and the United States in the field of space exploration has a positive effect on relations between Moscow and Washington, the cosmonaut pointed out. "We work together on complex, important programs, which are meant to last for several years. We very much rely on each other, help each other, and watch out for each other regardless of agreements and disagreements at the political level. So I think that good relations in the space program help us to establish cooperation in other areas, and this may serve as an example of what the relations should be," -Krikalev noted.
Executive Director of ‘Roskosmos’ manned space program also shared his experience of working with a Soviet cosmonaut Musa Manarov who was born in Baku. "I have very good and friendly relations with Musa Manarov. Moreover, we went through training together. He was the first of the two of us to go to the ‘Mir’ space station, and I was the one to replace him, when his mission was over.
"I want to say that he is a highly professional and competent engineer. It was a pleasure to work with him in space," - he said.
Sergei Krikalev also mentioned the Hero of Socialist Labor, the laureate of Stalin and Lenin State Prizes – Kerim Kerimov, the native of Azerbaijan, who headed the State Commission for Piloted Flights for 25 years. "He was the chairman of the state commission and saw many cosmonauts go into space. His greatest contribution was the creation of the military missile technology. He was well respected by all the cosmonauts,” said Krikalev.
He also shared his impressions from looking at the Caucasus from space. "The Caucasus Mountains can be clearly seen from space. You can even see some fine details. Of course, it all depends on the contrast, but you can see valleys, rivers, towns, major roads and airports,’’ - the astronaut said.
