The space flight of the first Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov from Kazkosmos, becomes one of the important page in the modern history of Kazakhstan. Despite all the difficulties Aidyn Aimbetov is the first cosmonaut, who was sent into space with Kazakhstani passport. His visit to one of the best universities in Kazakhstan - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, became landmark event of the year for students and university staff.
At the 12th of September 2015 year a new era of exploration for the Kazakh space age has began. The third space flight of the Kazakhstani and the first cosmonaut of Kazkosmos on to the International Space Station, became one of the main events for the Kazakhstan since ha its taken sovereignty. His flight into space, lasted for 9 days 20 hours 13 minutes and 51 seconds. Speaking to an audience rector of the KazNU, academician Galym Mutanov said: "During the flight, Aidyn Aimbetov conducted important scientific experiments, such as the studies of the radiation effect on man in space, space monitoring of environmental conditions of Aral and Caspian Seas, and others. His current visit is very important for the university. "
"As you know, our university researchers contribute a lot to the development of space technology. One of the experiments developed by our scientists - a "Coulomb crystals", which was the part of the space Aidyn Aimbetov’s flight program. Today at a meeting with scientists from our university, Aidyn discussed the results and details of the experiment with them. Work in this direction will be continued. Now we aim to become a university, which would raise the space industry in Kazakhstan to a new level. I would also like to note that at the state level, our university has been chosen to be basic university for the development of space industry in Kazakhstani basic sciences "- said rector of the KazNU.
Aidyn Aimbetov made a short speech to the students of the KazNU: "The Space flight has been carried out by the decision and support of our Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev, who pays great attention to the development of youth education. After all, the future of the Kazakhstan - is the youth and students sitting in this room in the future will grow prominent scientists and professionals who will develop our science and space industry ", - he said.
Also astronaut described his journey into space, he told about the results of scientific experiments. "During the space flight I executed extensive research program. This program included experiments developed by scientists at your university. The results of the research will be used in various fields and areas of Kazakhstani science. I hope they will benefit our country, "- said Aydin Aimbetov.
During the meeting, students asked astronaut several questions: about his plans for the future, duties which he performed during the flight, and they wondered about his life and work outside the profession. Responding to questions, the first Kazakh cosmonaut, told the students about the difficulties he encountered during flight, about working as a flight engineer, about dreams and childhood’s hobby.
At the end of the meeting, university students gave present to Aydin Aimbetov. He received his personal portrait built of small photos of his flight into space and a jacket with the logo of the KazNU. Also, rector of the university presented the astronaut gold medal "80 years of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University".
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University conducting extensive work on the development of the space industry. Young scientists of the university are also involved in the program of future space flight experiments for the next generation Kazakh cosmonauts. Today scientists are working on university’s research project on creation of anti-friction material based on carbon nanostructures, they are also conducting research program "Plasma Crystal-4" and on nano-carbon materials and graphene-sensitive sensors.
Aidyn Aimbetov visited the laboratories, research centers, got acquainted with the work of the Center for Student Services (DSP) and the Mechanics and Mathematics Department, where scientists have demonstrated astronaut its latest scientific developments and spoke about the current research activities.