Kazakhstan, Russia in talks over sending Kazakh cosmonaut to ISS

Kazakhstan and Russia are discussing the possibility of sending a Kazakh cosmonaut to the International Space Station, Kazinform News Agency reports Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, as saying at a briefing today.

In his words, the terms of the flight will be set as soon as scientific institutions specify their research programs.

Together with the research institutions we are compiling the list of studies. As soon as the research program is chosen, we will be able to set exact dates [of the flight - edit] and unveil the details of sending a Kazakh cosmonaut to the ISS, he said.

We need an appropriate research program. A selection will be held. I cannot speak on any certain dates, since everything depends on budgetary financing too, he explained.

Earlier, some media reported that Kazakhstan and Russia are discussing the issue of sending a Kazakhstani cosmonaut to the ISS.