Session of the Executive Committee of the Space Flight Participants Association started in 22 March in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

9 members of the Executive Committee, including astronauts from Russia, the USA, China, Germany and France take part in the event on 21st 26th March, 2018. Among them Bonnie Dunbar (the USA) – the President of the Space Flights Participants Association, Yang Liwei (China) – the first astronaut of the PRC, the General Director of China manned space Agency, Aleksandr Aleksandrov (Russia), the Head of Space Flight Participants Association – Russia, SPA Energia cosmonaut, the General Director Advisor of S.P. Korolev Rocket And Space Corporation “Energia”, Michel Tognini (France) – astronaut, the Head of European astronauts training Center etc. The cosmonauts from Belarus Vladimir Kovalenok – the President of Russian Space Federation, twice Hero of the Soviet Union and pilot-cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, the Hero of Russia also came to Session.

At the opening of the Executive Committee Bonnie Dunbar (USA), the President of the Space Flight Participants Association, Sergei Chizhik, First Deputy Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Presidium, Sergei Kilin, Deputy Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Presidium addressed the audience. Members of the Executive Committee are going to discuss holding of the 31st International Congress of the Space Flight Participants Association in Minsk in September 2018.

Six technical sessions with presentations by astronauts, scientists and leading specialists in this field are planned for the members of the Executive Committee of the Space Flight Participants Association in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the President Hotel. The guests will visit following places during the 31st International Congress of the SFPA: BelAZ, Palace of the Republic, NEC "Belexpo", Minsk Aeroclub DOSAAF, Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus. Besides, government levee is planned for the members of the SFPA Executive Committee.

Deputy Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Presidium Sergei Kilin pointed that that holding of the 31st SFPA International Congress in Minsk in September, 2018 will help to attract young scientists to space researches. Belarussian initiative was approved on Executive Committee Session on 25 27th March, 2017 in Toulouse (France).

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* Space Flight Participants Association (SFPA) is an international non-profit organization that unites astronauts from many countries, established in 1985 to share experience in the field of manned spaceflight. Nowadays there are 400 members from 37 countries in the Association. SFPA has 4 regional departments with its boards of directors - the USA, Russia, Europe and Asia. The main governing body is the International Executive Committee. The Association carries out its activity in three areas: professional community, education, ecology. The SFPA International Congress of the AUCP annually attracts astronauts, as well as representatives of scientific research institutions and national space agencies. The 31st Congress will be held in Minsk on 9-15th September, 2018. About 350 people are invited, including 150 cosmonauts. The program of the Congress includes plenary session, technical sections meeting, space technologies exhibition. Participants of the international congress will address representatives of various organizations and higher educational institutions of Belarus and get acquainted with the cultural and historical heritage of the country.