President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Hero of Turkmenistan, test cosmonaut instructor, and deputy head of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Oleg Kononenko, on his birthday, as reported by Turkmenistan’s state news agency on Friday.

In his message, the president wished Kononenko good health, longevity, happiness, family well-being, and continued success in space exploration.

Oleg Kononenko was born on June 21, 1964, in the city of Turkmenabat. He made his first space flight in April 2008.

Following his first mission, he was awarded the titles Hero of Russia and Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation. In September 2019, he was also honored with the title Hero of Turkmenistan.