Vienna celebrated the 30th anniversary of the joint flight of Tokhtar Aubakirov and Austrian astronaut Franz Viehböck

Vienna, October 1, 2021 - The event dedicated to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the AustroMir space expedition, which included cosmonaut Tokhtar Aubakirov, Austrian astronaut Franz Viehböck and Russian crew commander Alexander Volkov, was held at the Vienna Technical Museum with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Austria and the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology of Austria.

In the year of the anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence, it is exactly 30 years since the day when the Honored test pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Tokhtar Aubakirov became the first representative of the Kazakh to fly into space.

For this feat, he was awarded the highest degree of distinction in Kazakhstan - the title "Halyk Kakharmany" (National Hero).

October 2, 1991, became a historic day for two states - Kazakhstan and Austria, which sent their compatriots into space for the first time. At the invitation of the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the leaders of neighboring countries and the Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitsky, arrived at the Baikonur cosmodrome that day.

The event in Vienna was attended by the Federal Minister for Climate Action Leonore Gewessler, Austrian astronaut Franz Viehböck, Kazakh cosmonaut Tokhtar Aubakirov (via video link), Director General of the Vienna Technical Museum, as well as scientists and researchers in the field of cosmonautics.

During the panel session, the participants shared their stories of preparation, flight, spent in space and discussed topical issues of the space industry, including problems of modern space activities and prospects for space research.

In his video message, Aubakirov congratulated the Austrians and his colleague, close friend Viehböck on the anniversary of the expedition and shared warm memories of preparation, strong lifelong friendship with other crew members, and seeing off before the flight in the city of Baikonur. He also invited the Austrians to visit Kazakhstan, especially noting the hospitality and kindness of our people.

In his welcoming speech, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Vienna Kairat Umarov said: “The flight of Tokhtar Aubakirov had risen the patriotic pride of our people, became part of a powerful surge of national consciousness that accompanied the acquisition of state independence by Kazakhstan. Baikonur was, is and will continue to be the cosmic cradle of mankind, which has provided more than half of all world launches into Earth’s orbit”.

Kazakh cosmonauts declared themselves at the dawn of the country's independence and have already become part of modern history, which must be deeply studied and remembered. It is this philosophy that our current President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev emphasized in his article "Independence above all" – We have to learn our history and remember those who glorify Kazakhstan in the international arena with their achievements.