Page 45 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

NEWS

STATUE OF FIRST MAN IN

SPACE UNVEILED

monument to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, was
Aunveiled at the South African nati onal space agency (SAN-
SA) space science centre in Hermanus, 90 km from Cape Town.
The bust of the Soviet Air Forces pilot and cosmonaut, who be-

came the first human to journey into outer space aboard Vostok 1
when he completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961, is situated
at the South African national space agency space science centre,

previously the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory.
It is South Africa’s national geomagnetic research facility.

Donated by the ‘Dialogue of Cultures - United World’ charity
with the support of the consulate general of the Russian federation

in Cape Town and SANSA, the bronze bust was unveiled by Iakov

Baskakov, acting consul general of Russia in Cape Town.

“His feat united people around the globe in their aspiration to reach
new heights. It was a general breakthrough that combined the deter-

mination of mankind to stretch the boundaries of science and technol-
ogy together with personal bravery of the individual,” Baskakov said. The monument was installed within the SANSA Science Centre
Gagarin successfully landed in the Saratov region, near the city of where it will be viewed by thousands of learners and visitors to the

Engels, after 108 minutes of staying in space. Since 1961, hundreds of Space Agency.
people of different nationalities have been into space, including South SANSA and the Consulate General hope that the monument

African Mark Shuttleworth who rode a Russian-built Soyuz spacecraft will encourage the next generation of space explorers, scientist

to spend eight days onboard the International Space Station in 2002. and engineers.

Since 2011, the charity has installed over 30 busts of Gagarin in “A significant part of achieving our dream for the African continent
a number of educational institutions, parks and streets in more is to inspire the youth and ignite excitement in science and tech-

than 23 countries. nology. We are constantly looking for the future space explorers,
“This monument reminds us we should be together in the explo- the future space environment researchers, and the future space
ration and use of space, (it) will undoubtedly serve to strengthen engineers”, said SANSA managing director Lee-Anne McKinnell.

friendship and collaboration between Russia and South Africa in “Our dream is a long term one which we know cannot be

this sphere,” Baskakov said. achieved by our generation alone.”

While there are many other monuments dedicated to Gagarin “Space research and exploration is global - and while representing

around the globe this is the first monument of its kind on the Afri- the African continent we also look to our international stakeholders to

can continent and the Southernmost one in the world. partner with us on an equal footing as we take on the global challenge

of optimizing space utilization and inspiring the next generation.” Q
MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD
PILOT RECEIVES HONOUR
mph, and kept the nosewheel from Air Force Secretary Barbara Bennett

descending for landing. The plane flew awarded DeVries the medal at a cere-

he United States secretary of for 25 minutes in its disabled condition mony at Selfridge Air National Guard
before it landed.
Base, Michigan, near Detroit.
Tthe Air Force presented the
"The Distinguished Flying Cross is

After the incident the Air Force noted

Distinguished Flying Cross to an Air Na- that it was the first time a pilot had to America's oldest military aviation

tional Guard pilot who landed a plane land an A-10 with a missing canopy and decoration," Barrett said, "awarded for

missing its canopy and landing gear. landing gear in the "up" position. The heroism or extraordinary achievement

Maj. Brett DeVries, of the 127th Wing A-10, known as the Warthog, has been that is, 'entirely distinctive, involving

of the Michigan Air National Guard's in service since 1977. operations that are not routine.' Today,

107th Fighter Squadron, was honoured "Landing a plane with the gear down Major DeVries, you will join the ranks of
recently for his safe return from a 2017 is good," the Air Force said in its investi- some other American heroes."

training mission of his A-10 Thunderbolt gation of the incident. "You certainly demonstrated heroism

II plane. "Landing with it up is not ideal. and extraordinary achievement in your

A malfunctioning cannon ripped the Landing with some of it up and some of flight," Barrett added.

canopy from the plane as it flew at an it down, well, those stories seldom end DeVries is a veteran of over 120 over-

altitude of 150 feet and at about 375 well." seas combat missions. Q
World Airnews | December 2020
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