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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Without Oksana the Stars Are Out of Reach

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

In fact, the whole mission would have been impossible if not for the 14 winners of the Westin Space Contest carried out in Germany to select young European astronauts.

A large-scale project aimed at selecting young European astronauts. The contest involved 70 winners of the first round from 13 Old World countries, including 4 Ukrainian contenders of whom a young woman named Oksana Vyshtal, department assistant in a large firm in Vinnytsia, mother of a 2-year-old girl, took up the lead.

Oksana herself never dreamed of a space career, but she always wanted to take a closer look at the stars. As is often the case, events took a sudden turn. She was walking with her daughter when she saw young men sporting West blazers handing out questionnaires to passers-by. She took one. At home she read it, filled it out, and sent it to the stated address. Soon afterward she forgot all about it, but then she received a call from Germany and was asked if she would be interviewed over the phone. She obliged. And then they said she was invited to Reemstma's office in Kyiv to vie in a qualifying astronaut contest, and that the finals would be held in Zvezdny, the former Soviet cosmonaut Star City!

"I understand that West has been promoting its project since 1992 as just another advertising campaign," says Oksana Vyshtal. " But I do wish that all those others with good advertising budgets were as inventive and friendly in their undertakings as this firm, because its campaign also serves to unite people, rallying them round modern ideas, returning them lost cultural values. At the selection contest in Belgium and then in a small settlement amid forested hills in the southwest of Germany I saw excellent examples of innovative three-day team events, but I was most amazed at the display of team spirit combined with genuine friendliness, readiness to help each other – and I mean that people were ready to help not only their friends but also those from different teams and countries. Although we were each selected in strict accordance with physical requirements, it transpired that this shape was much better when resting on a humane attitude, goodwill, and communicability. The four Ukrainian contenders measured up in every respect. And the "Red Corner" television program is dedicated to precisely such people, ones that are determined to find their place in this turbulent life, who refuse to give up and follow the current, always ready to offer a friendly helping hand, rather than stab in the back. Volodymyr Ronin, coach of our small team, said that back in Kyiv we had passed muster and that the competition was severe; the basic criteria had been our physical fitness and sociability."

That time the winners were Oleksandr Kozlov, a 27-year-old mountain climber from Kyiv, computer programmer by training; his coeval Mikhail Zavilov, business manager with a hundred other hobbies; Svitlana Zavelska, a small graceful enthusiast combining athletic adventures with her post as assistant to the President of the UTAR Concern, and our good friend Oksana Vyshtal from Vinnytsia. They were attached to different teams in Brussels, as all the 12 contest participants represented different countries, so they had to meet each other even as the contest was underway. The main thing was to enhance the team spirit, for they had been sent to space mission simulators almost as soon as they had arrived. It did not take them long to get the knack of the equipment, sophisticated as it was. Now they could draw the required patterns, jump the highest in the weightlessness simulator, assembling units quickly on special suspenders making one feel in the weightless vacuum of outer space.

The tests and contests are very impressive to the layman. But this was only the start. We were given our real trial at a fitness camp in the German village of Grue Luise. I have been in a number of extreme situations, yet I was anxious to watch our contenders vie on that particular occasion. Watching petite Svitlana Zavelska race up a giant pine and perch where the top was sawed off. Of course, she had her safety belt on, yet I caught my breath watching it. And the "outer space assemblage" exercise! The whole team perched on a tree pulling up two "assemblers" tied to a system of ropes, with both suspended high above ground having to put together a sophisticate pattern of pipes. After this the archery event looked like child's play, although many played it for the very first time. Well, no time or space to dwell on the starting contests. There were many, so on the closing day all contenders felt and looked fatigued. But then they announced the winners – those who had passed muster and would undergo full astronaut training courses in September. I watched their faces and saw tears of joy. But I also saw their losing teammates, people they had known nothing about a couple of days earlier. They were glad to watch them win. They really were. Amazing in our time when money seems to determine the existence of most our fellow countrymen.

Oksana Vyshtal, after receiving the winner's card and papers entitling her for a full course of training at Zvezdny, said, "I know that my victory will bring no material benefit, yet I am happy because I have been able to communicate with fellow human beings ready to share all the risks and dangers of this profession which is so unusual and challenging. I think I have reached the apex of dreams of any normal human being, dreams that are coming true. At least I hope so..."

I wholeheartedly agree with her, on behalf of all normal human beings with their dreams of stardom that will never come true. But of course, different strokes for different folks; the greatest attainments should be made by the worthiest representatives of the human race. One last thing: you should see this young woman in her daily life and atmosphere – very quiet and composed, one of the many young Ukrainian mothers concerned about their children and daily chores. Seeing her you would most likely pass by without turning back. Nice, but very ordinary, except that she won where so many lost. In a contest unthinkable to most.

Photo:

This is weightlessness!

 

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