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The Acting President examined a simulator of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft. Engineers told him about the design of the craft and demonstrated new space suits, which were being tested by cosmonauts at that time.

Mr Putin chaired a meeting on space development at the Cosmonaut Training Centre. In his opening remarks he stressed that space exploration was a backbone branch for the development of the economy and science.

The Acting President said Russia would honour its commitments to establish the International Space Station. At the same time, Mr Putin said there were enough reasons to keep the Mir station in operation.

The Acting President expressed his gratitude to everyone who worked at the centre and built up the Russian people’s faith in their country as a world leader in space exploration. He said practical measures by the government are needed to support the space industry. We must not forget or put aside the legacy received from past generations of space explorers, the Acting President emphasised.

Mr Putin also presented pilot-cosmonauts and employees of the Cosmonaut Training Centre with state awards. Colonel General Pyotr Klimuk, head of the Cosmonaut Training Centre, was awarded the Order For Services to the Fatherland, 3rd class. Pilot-cosmonauts Boris Volynov and Vladimir Shatalov were awarded the Order For Services to the Fatherland, 4th class. President Putin also handed letters of gratitude to Valentina Tereshkova, German Titov, and the staff of the Cosmonaut Training Centre.