United efforts needed for space exploration: Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko

Lauding the ‘progress’ made by India in space exploration, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko said that coordinated efforts by other countries such as China and Russia are required. Kornienko, who counts among those who have lived for almost a year continuously in space, was in Mumbai to deliver a motivational lecture at the Nehru Science Centre, as part of the third edition of Rosatom Festival of Science and Culture. 

He along with American astronaut Scott Kelly, formed the crew for the one-year mission of the International Space Station (ISS). The aim was to study the effects of the harsh environment in the space on the human body that would help future extended expeditions in the space. The mission took place between 2015 and 2016. The duo spend 342 days in space. 

Kornienko stressed on the dangers of debris in the space and recalled the incident when even the ISS was struck by it. “Rosatom Festival of Science and Culture is a series of educational and scientific activities. We hope that the festival will inspire students,” said Andrey Shevlyakov, CEO, Rosatom South Asia.