Russia May Fly First African into Space

Sept. 24—Roscosmos will soon sign agreements with three countries on the participation of foreign cosmonauts in missions, Dmitry Bakanov, the head of the state corporation, told Izvestia. Earlier, Bakanov had reported that Russia would help organize the first flight of an astronaut from Indonesia. The Kremlin also expressed its readiness to send a representative from North Korea into orbit. Experts also name India, Vietnam, and the Central African Republic as the most likely candidates for joint flights. This would be the first African to fly into space, under any program.

Such cooperation works for the reputation of the Russian space industry, which is important for strengthening the country’s space sovereignty, as well as for that of partner states of Russia, particularly if one takes into account that citizens of the latter states receive training by Russia. The first module of the Russian Space Station is expected to be launched in 2028.