VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Director General of the Engineering Institute Gennady Raikunov reported back to Prime Minister Putin on the performance of the Institute and of the Mission Control Centre, focusing on the project for the Vostochny space centre in the Far East. According to Mr Raikunov, the Institute has finalised its design and is beginning to develop its engineering projects. In 2011, the Institute will begin building the space centre's infrastructure.
Mr Raikunov also touched on a new field of work of the Institute – namely, the development of a space emergency alarm system that could reduce the risk of collision in orbit. "Currently, there is so much cosmic debris, as well as spacecraft in orbit, that they pose a threat to one another," said the director. According to Mr Raikunov, the Institute plans to deploy four more observation stations across Russia and abroad that will be integrated into the current system.
The Central Institute for Engineering is also participating in the Mars500 experiment, which will simulate a manned flight to Mars.
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During his visit to the Mission Control Centre, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a video conference with the crew of the International Space Station.
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends. I'd like to greet all of you.
Alexander Kaleri (flight engineer of the ISS Expedition 26): Good afternoon, Mr Prime Minister and welcome from the crew of the 26th Expedition to the International Space Station. The six of us are here.
Vladimir Putin: I'd like to greet everyone here at the Mission Control Centre and the International Space Station. First of all, I'd like to express my sincere support and sympathy for the commander of Expedition 26, Mr Scott Kelly, in the wake of the attempted assassination of US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. This terrible news hasn't left anyone in Russia indifferent. As we know, Ms Giffords is the wife of your brother, who is also an astronaut and has been to Moscow. We empathise with your family and wish for Ms Giffords' speedy recovery. We would also like to express our condolences to those who were injured in this assassination and to the families of the victims.
However, returning to our joint project, I wish you every success with your mission. I'm sure that it will be a success and that you will fulfill your obligations.
I'd like to note that we have gathered here today to hold a meeting of the organising committee for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Yury Gagarin's space flight – the first milestone in space exploration, which opened the way to the cosmos for all mankind.
In Russia, 2011 is the Year of Cosmonautics. This year, we plan to hold a series of events to celebrate the beginning of space exploration. These events must be interesting, vibrant, and remarkable, promoting the development of cosmonautics and highlighting the significance of your work on behalf of the world as a whole. I'd like you to take an active part in these undertakings as soon as you return in the spring. I wish you all the best.
Scott Joseph Kelly (commander of the ISS Expedition 26): Thank you! I'll certainly pass your message on to my brother. Thanks.
Alexander Kaleri: Mr Putin, thank you very much for your well wishes. We plan to fulfill our programme to the letter.
Over the past 10 years, the station has grown bigger. We have a great deal of work to do. Over the last 18 months, six crew members, instead of three, have had to work here. We are gradually expanding our presence in space and increasing the station's output. All tasks have been fulfilled.
Today, we're having a good, busy day. We are carrying out experiments as well as routine engineering work. Our American colleagues are also busy working. Life is flying by.
It's good to meet with you on the eve of the birthday of Sergei Korolev, whose contribution to Gagarin's flight was greater than anyone else's.
Vladimir Putin: I wish you all the best.
Alexander Kaleri: Thank you. Thank you for your well wishes and for the attention that you have given to cosmonautics, and in particular, manned flights. We can feel it from here, and we are happier for it. We will certainly do our best to justify your trust.
Vladimir Putin: Today we'll also discuss national programmes for the industry and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's flight, as I said.
I wish you all the best. Thank you for your time. Good luck!
Alexander Kaleri: Thank you. We also wish you good luck. Goodbye.
