Uzbekistan will select its first cosmonaut through an open contest, available to any citizen who meets the eligibility requirements.
This was announced by Muhiddin Ibragimov, deputy director of the agency «Uzbekcosmos,» during a roundtable with agency officials and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, according to a Kursiv Uzbekistan correspondent. Candidates will be evaluated on age, height, weight and education, and selection will focus on technological expertise. Participants must also speak at least two languages.
«If the mission is planned for the International Space Station, knowledge of Russian and English is mandatory. For a Chinese station mission, Chinese and English are required. We will have both primary and backup candidates for training,» Ibragimov explained.
The selection process will be conducted in multiple stages. It begins with an open call for applications, followed by initial candidate screening. Medical examinations, psychological tests, and assessments of intellectual and physical abilities will then be carried out.
Testing and training
Shortlisted candidates will undergo further testing abroad. Ultimately, several candidates will be selected, with one officially approved by the state.
The chosen cosmonaut will receive specialised training lasting 10–12 months. Training for an ISS mission may take place in the U.S., Japan or Germany, while training for a Chinese space station mission will be conducted in Beijing.
Before the flight, the cosmonaut will undergo quarantine: one month for the ISS, two months for the Chinese station. Missions are expected to last 10–14 days, during which scientific research will be conducted and continuous contact with Earth maintained. Following the mission, the cosmonaut will undergo rehabilitation before returning to Uzbekistan.
A state commission and working groups have been established for the project. Details of the next stages of the selection process will be discussed soon.
