Cosmonaut news: 2004
News of the Cosmonaut Group, Отряд Космонавтов, for 2004. For ISS cosmonaut training reports, see the news section of the Energiya site.
January
Январь
From Novosti Kosmonavtiki №1, 2004 – “On training of the cosmonauts in RGNII TsPK”:
As of the end of November, 2003, training cosmonauts in RGNII TsPK was conducted in the composition of the following eight groups:
Cosmonaut training groups: November 2003 ISS-9-EP-6 The crews of the 9th basic expedition and 6th ISS visiting expedition – V. Tokarev, W. McArthur, A. Kuiper and S. Sharipov, L. Chiao, G. Tile. European cosmonauts A. Kuiper (Netherlands) and G. Tile (Germany) are preparing according to the program of the week-long visit during the Expeditions 8 and 9 crew exchange. The group was formed during November 2003 (the main crew began training from 3 November; the back-ups from 17 November) ISS group 1 V. Afanas’ev, V. Dezhurov, Yu. Onufrienko, Yu. Baturin, Yu. Usachyov, A. Lazutkin ISS group 2 K. Val’kov, O. Kotov, Yu. Lonchakov, A. Skvortsov, M. Suraev ISS group 3 Yu. Shargin, S. Revin, N. Kuzhel’naya, S. Moshchenko, F. Yurchikhin, O. Skripochka ISS group 4 R. Romanenko, K. Kozeev, M. Kornienko ISS group 5 G. Padalka, O. Kononenko, M. Fink (NASA), M. Tyurin, D. Tani (NASA), S. Volkov, S. Krikalyov. This group was reformed during September 2003. Earlier, this group composed two main crews set to fly when the Shuttle resumed flight: S. Krikalyov, S. Volkov and J. Phillips on the first; G. Padalka, O. Kononenko and M. Fink on the second. Now they are simply the group of cosmonauts who have passed general preparation for the ISS program. During September, M. Tyurin was added to the group; D. Tani was replaced by J. Phillips OKP-1 (New cosmonauts-in-training) A. Samokutyaev, A. Shkaplerov, A. Ivanishin, E. Tarelkin, A. Aimbetov, M. Aimakhanov (the last two are the cosmonaut-candidates from Kazakhstan) OKP-2 M. Serov, A. Borisenko, O. Artem’ev, S. Ryazanskii, S. Zhukov Cosmonauts presently not occupied with space preparation:
- A. Kaleri is currently onboard the ISS as flight engineer of Expedition 8.
- Yu. Malenchenko is in rehabilitation after his long-term flight (Expedition 7).
- D. Kondrat’ev from August 2003 has been in the USA at Johnson Space Center as RGNII TsPK representative.
- S. Zalyotin and P. Vinogradov are participating in the pre-election campaign as the candidates to the deputy of the State Duma RF of the fourth convocation (?).
- T. Musabaev is on leave.
- S. Treshchyov and N. Budarin are working in the division of the cosmonauts (№292) of Energiya; A. Poleshchuk heads the division of №29e (on extra-ship activity).
- B. Morukov is working at the Institute of Medical-Biological Problems.
Thus, as of 30 November 2003, there are 37 cosmonauts, including 9 cosmonaut-candidates. 27 cosmonauts are in spaceflight preparations at RGNII TsPK.
From a Polish space site, Loty Kosmiczne, and an entry in the Novosti Kosmonavtki forum comes this latest crew manifest:
On 11 December, 2003, the resolution of the international commission MCOP formed the sequential crews of basic expeditions on the ISS in the following compositions:
| Mission | Prime | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| TMA-4/ISS-9 (19 April 2004) | W. MacArthur | G. Padalka |
| V. Tokarev | M. Fink | |
| A. Kuipers | G. Tile | |
| TMA-5/ISS-10 (9 Oct 2004) | G. Padalka | Yu. Onufrienko |
| M. Fincke | D. Tani | |
| STS-121/ISS-11 (15 Nov 2004) | S. Sharipov (Commander) | M. Tyurin (Cdr) |
| J. Phillips (Flight Engineer) | D. Pettit (FE) | |
| O. Kononenko (FE) | R. Romanenko (FE) | |
| STS-116/ISS-12 (14 Apr 2005) | L. Chiao (Cdr) | J. Williams (Cdr) |
| Sunita Williams(FE/Science Officer) | C. Anderson (FE/SO) | |
| Yu. Usachyov (FE) | A. Lazutkin (FE) |
Sergei Krikalyov seems to have vanished from the roster! I don’t know what the story is there, so keep checking that NK forum entry.
…After a subsequent look at the forum the next day, Sergei (along with S. Volkov and J. Herrington) has been moved to a later Shuttle flight (STS-122, crew S-15 – Expedition 12 or 13):
| Mission | Prime | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| ISS-11 | M. Tyurin | |
| D. Pettit | ||
| R. Romanenko | ||
| ISS-12 | L. Chiao | D. Williams |
| S. Williams | A. Lazutkin | |
| Yu. Usachyov | K. Anderson | |
| ISS-13 | Yu. Onufrienko | J. Herrington |
| Tanya | F. Yurchikhin | |
| a Russian cosmonaut | D. Kondrat’ev | |
| ISS-14 | D. Williams | M. Lopez-Alegria |
| A. Lazutkin | O. Kotov | |
| K. Anderson | G. Reisman | |
| STS-122/ISS-15 | S. Krikalyov | |
| J. Herrington | ||
| S. Volkov |
Here’s what one of those on the forum, “Shams/Шамс”, had to say (another Babelfish translation!):
Yes, the same compositions of crews I obtained from one of the American experts (with the reference, that they they were agreed on MCOP). I assume, many know this expert, since it is obvious that this information was obtained by not just one. By the way, on solution of MCOP in the crew ISS-13 the third will be R. Romanenko. However, thus far this info was not confirmed to me either by TSPK nor in RKKE, after recognizing only that the fact that MCOP was, but it is nevertheless necessary to wait the official solution of our, Russian MVK. For this very reason thus far these crews were not called. Although, on the whole that is clear that, the solution took place for the compositions of ISS-9-14. The recommendations of MCOP, as a rule, are carried out. But nevertheless there can be some small changes. For example, in TSPK it was said to me that in ISS-9D there will be nevertheless Chiao and Sharipov (they they already began preparation in the middle of November 2003), and Padalka-Fink will immediately begin preparation as basic crew ISS-10. And also, the duration of flight ISS-10 is determined by the beginning of the flights of shuttles. Now the launch of ISS-10 is planned on 9 October by 2004 on TMA-5, and ISS-11 on 15 November 2004 on STS-121 (second flight of shuttle). Hence follows that, the duration of flight ISS-10 comprises only 1.5 months. Thus, is already placed temporary reserve in that case, that start STS-121 will unavoidably move some period to the right. But if STS-121 leaves in April 2005, then crew ISS-11 will fly on TMA-6. Because of this, possibly, again it is necessary to re-examine crews. On the whole, the shuttles continue to introduce vagueness into further flight plans for ISS. Therefore let us wait, MVK. I hope it is not necessary to wait long.
April
Апрель
5/4
Some information from Olaf Neumann: Aleksandr Poleshchuck left the Energiya Cosmonauts’ Group on 25 March, 2004; and Vladimir Karashtin (of the IMPB) left his group back on 17 January, 2002! So I have removed their names from the Cosmonaut Group pages.
May
Май
18/5
Another update from Olaf: Yu. Onufrienko has left the TsPK Cosmonaut Group on 17 March 2004 and he is now the deputy director of TsPK Unit 1; Yu. Usachyov left the Energiya cosmonaut group on 5 April 2004 and now he is working in Unit 291 at Energiya.
More details via collectSPACE:
By the order of the Minister of Defense RF of 17 March, 2004, the airman-cosmonaut RF Yurii Onufriyenko is assigned to the post of the deputy chief for the 1 administration RGNII TSPK with the release from the post of instructor cosmonaut-tester. Recently Yu. Onufriyenko in accordance with the order of the chief of TSPK entered the new post, and left the force of the cosmonauts of RGNII TSPK. Yu. Onufriyenko was enrolled into TSPK in 1989 and completed two space flights. By the order of the leader of FKA of 5 April, 2004, airman-cosmonaut RF Yurii Usachyo was freed from the post of instructor cosmonaut-tester of the 1 class at will. Thus, from this date, Yu. Usachyov is retired from the force of the cosmonauts OF RKK Energiya. He was enrolled into the force NPO Energiya in 1989 and carried out four space flights. However, Yuri Usachyov continues to work in the 291-M division of RKK Energiya. It is assumed that soon 291-M Division will be created a small group of the cosmonaut-veterans, who will transfer thei r wide experience to young cosmonauts. The cosmonaut-veterans (as it’s assumed that official post will be called – the instructor-cosmonaut) will themselves not fly into space, but their activity, undoubtedly will be useful for the force RKK Energiya. With the withdrawal of Yu. Onufriyenko and Yu. Usachyov, there remains in RGNII TSPK 16 cosmonauts (Air Force pilots); and in RKK Energiya, 14 cosmonauts (engineers).
With the 9 new recruits, this now totals 39 active cosmonauts. Ten cosmonauts have thus left the group since 2000. Contrast this with the active NASA astronauts who number 144 in total, and who were recently joined by a new group of 11 recruits (pictured in this NASA photo).
27/5
Some depressing news from Olaf that the only female cosmonaut, Nadezhda Kuzhel’naya, left the Cosmonauts’ Group on 27 May. She is doing a civil aviation correspondence course (from a school at Ulyanovsk) while working as co-pilot of an Aeroflot Tu-134 at Sheremetevo Airport (outside of Moscow). Guess she gave up hope of ever getting a spaceflight (she joined in 1994). As there were no women in the last group of recruits, no Russian women will go into space for many years yet. :-(
On the order of the leader of the Federal Space Agency (FKA) she was released from the position of cosmonaut-tester in connection with retirement on pension on the length of service.
There is still a chauvinistic attitude amongst some in the Russian space program that women need to be “protected” and that they really shouldn’t be going into space. Considering that Russia sent the first woman into space, this attitude is PATHETIC!!! NASA has sent many women into space, even one as a Shuttle commander (Eileen Collins).
Some articles on this topic:
- ABC News in Science: “No room for women in space, claim Russians”, 18/8/2003.
- Space.com: “Training of a Female Cosmonaut”, 26/1/2001.
- SpaceDaily.com: “Russia’s only female cosmonaut all dressed up but nowhere to go”, 27/6/2003.
Nadezhda did train as a flight engineer back-up for Soyuz TM-32, as backup for female ESA astronaut Claudie Haignere.
Out of curiosity, I had a glance at the astronaut pages of the main space agencies to see how many women were in each:
- ESA: none. 15 male astronauts currently in group.
- JAXA (Japanese Space Agency): 2 women (out of 8). Naoko Yamazaki, Chiaki Mukai.
- CSA (Canadian Space Agency): 1 woman (out of 6). Julie Payette.
- NASA: 30 women! Out of 144 active and management astronauts (just under a quarter of the total). Not including the two in the latest group of recruits.
And Russia…none. None at all. :-(
An updated list (from Olaf again!).
Composition of the Cosmonauts’ Group, May 2004
Отряд космонавтов РГНИИ ЦПК
RGNII TsPK Cosmonauts’ Group
- Дежуров Владимир Николаевич
Dezhurov, V. (2 spaceflights) - Маленченко Юрий Иванович
Malenchenko, Yu. (3) - Афанасьев Виктор Михайлович
Afanas’ev, V. (4) - Падалка Геннадий Иванович
Padalka, G. (2) - Залетин Сергей Викторович
Zalyotin, S. (2) - Шарипов Салижан Шакирович
Sharipov, S. (1) - Котов Олег Валерьевич
Kotov, O. - Токарев Валерий Иванович
Tokarev, V. (1) - Батурин Юрий Михайлович
Baturin, Yu. (2) - Вальков Константин Анатольевич
Val’kov, K. - Волков Сергей Александрович
Volkov, A. - Кондратьев Дмитрий Юрьевич
Kondrat’ev, D. - Лончаков Юрий Валентинович
Lonchakov, Yu. (2) - Романенко Роман Юрьевич
Romanenko, R. - Скворцов Александр Александрович
Skvortsov, A. - Сураев Максим Викторович
Suraev, M. - Иванишин Анатолий Алексеевич
Ivanishin, A.<
– Кандидат (candidate) - Самокутяев Александр Михайлович
Samokutyaev, A.
– Кандидат - Тарелкин Евгений Игоревич
Tarelkin, E.
– Кандидат - Шкаплеров Антон Николаевич
Shkaplerov, A.
– Кандидат
Отряд космонавтов РКК «ЭНЕРГИЯ»
RKK Energiya Cosmonauts’ Group
- Калери Александр Юрьевич
Kaleri, A. (4) - Крикалев Сергей Константинович
Krikalyov, S. (5) - Бударин Николай Михайлович
Budarin, N. (3) - Виноградов Павел Владимирович
Vinogradov, P. (1) - Лазуткин Александр Иванович
Lazutkin, A. (1) - Трещев Сергей Евгеньевич
Treshchyov, S. (1) - Кужельная Надежда Васильевна
Kuzhel’naya, N. - Тюрин Михаил Владиславович
Tyurin, M. (1) - Ревин Сергей Николаевич
Revin, S. - Козеев Константин Мирович
Kozeev, K. (1) - Скрипочка Олег Иванович
Skripochka, O. - Юрчихин Федор Николаевич
Yurchikhin, F. (1) - Корниенко Михаил Борисович
Kornienko, M. - Кононенко Олег Дмитриевич
Kononenko, O. - Артемьев Олег Германович
Artem’ev, O.
– Кандидат - Борисенко Андрей Иванович
Borisenko, A.
– Кандидат - Серов Марк Вячеславович
Serov, M.
– Кандидат
Others
Отряд космонавтов ИМБП
IMBP Cosmonauts
- Моруков Борис Владимирович
Morukov, B. (1) - Рязанский Сергей Николаевич
Ryazanskii, S.
– Кандидат
Космонавты, не входящие в отряды
Cosmonauts not in the above groups
- Мощенко Сергей Иванович
Moshchenko, S.
(космонавт ГКНПЦ им.Хруничева – cosmonaut from GKNPTs Krunichev) - Шаргин Юрий Георгиевич
Shargin, Yu.
(космонавт КВР – KVP) - Жуков Сергей Александрович
Zhukov, S.
– Кандидат
Итого – 33 космонавта и 9 кандидатов в космонавты.
Total: 33 cosmonauts and 9 cosmonaut-candidates (not including the two from Kazakhstan).
NASA astronauts: 101 on active duty status (commanders, pilots, mission specialists) and 43 in management status.
June
Июнь
19/6
Latest ISS crew roster, from the Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum:
| Mission | Prime | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| ISS-10 | L. Chiao | W. MacArthur |
| S. Sharipov | V. Tokarev | |
| ISS-11 | S. Krikalyov | M. Tyurin |
| J. Phillips | D. Tani | |
| S. Volkov | R. Romanenko | |
| ISS-12 | W. MacArthur | J. Williams |
| V. Tokarev | A. Lazutkin | |
| S. Williams | K. Anderson | |
| ISS-13 | P. Vinogradov | J. Herrington |
| D. Kondrat’ev | F. Yurchikhin | |
| D. Tani | O. Kotov | |
| ISS-14 | J. Williams | M. Lopez-Alegria |
| A. Lazutkin | K. Kozeev | |
| K. Anderson | G. Reyzman |
On the ISS-10 crew (launched on Soyuz TMA-5 during October 2004) in the very near future will be included the 3rd crew member: either “kosmotourist” G. Olsen or a Russian cosmonaut. The launch of ISS-11 thus far is planned in 2 stages: Krikalyov and Phillips start on TMA-6 during April 2005, and S. Volkov on STS-121 during May 2005. But if the Shuttle is detained again, then Volkov will not fly. There are disagreements with NASA on the delivery of subsequent crews. We consider that they must be transported by the Shuttles (after the renewal of their flights), and Americans want 3-person crews to be carried by the Soyuz. Specifically, for this reason Russia proposed to carry out year-long ISS expeditions (beginning with ISS-10) in order on the second Soyuz each year to have the possibility to carry tourists and other paid cosmonauts (for example, a Malaysian cosmonaut is in the queue to fly). Thus far these questions are “on hold” and introduce vagueness into further flight plans for the ISS.
Prospective space tourist Greg Olsen was disqualified due to health reasons, according to some reports, though this has yet to be confirmed.
July
Июль
6/7
The press service of the “Baikonur” Federal Space Center reports: Cosmonauts are being trained to survive in extreme conditions
On July 5 a large group of specialists arrived at Baikonur from Star City in order to train cosmonauts to survive in extreme conditions. 6 cosmonauts will participate in this training: Konstantin Valkov, Maxim Suraev, Oleg Kononenko, Mikhail Kornienko, Aleksander Skvortsov, Yurii Lonchakov. The cosmonauts are scheduled to finish theoretical training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center on July 6, and then they will start gaining survival skills in real steppe conditions.
7/7
Cosmonauts continue survival training
6 cosmonauts participate in this training: Konstantin Valkov, Maxim Suraev, Oleg Kononenko, Mikhail Kornienko, Aleksander Skvortsov, Yurii Lonchakov. On July 7 the Cosmonaut Training Center instructors started a two-day steppe training, the space pilots will start the training on July 9. The main purpose of this training is to teach the cosmonauts to survive in various climatic zones in case of an off-nominal landing. Therefore the cosmonauts are given the equipment and food available at the Soyuz TMA spaceship (the so-called emergency supply).
12/7
Cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov retired today.
Cosmonauts continue survival training
The cosmonauts continue survival training at Baikonur. The crew consisting of three cosmonauts – Yurii Lonchakov, Maxim Suraev, and Oleg Kononenko – finished the training on July 11. Konstantin Valkov, Mikhail Kornienko, and Aleksander Skvortsov will finish the training on July 12. (From TsENKI)
31/7
Cosmonauts’ Group
The cosmonauts & astronauts are conducting preparations in 11 groups:
| Mission | Prime | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| МКС-10/ISS-10 | L. Chiao | W. MacArthur |
| S. Sharipov | V. Tokarev | |
| МКС-11/ISS-11 | S. Krikalyov | M. Tyurin |
| J. Phillips | D. Tani | |
| S. Volkov (from May 2004 he is at NASA JSC) | R. Romanenko | |
| МКС-12/ISS-12 | W. MacArthur | J. Williams |
| V. Tokarev | A. Lazutkin | |
| S. Williams | K. Anderson | |
| МКС-13/ISS-13 | P. Vinogradov | J. Herrington |
| D. Kondrat’ev | F. Yurchikhin | |
| D. Tani | O. Kotov | |
| МКС-14/ISS-14 | J. Williams | M. Lopez-Alegria |
| A. Lazutkin | K. Kozeev | |
| K. Anderson | G. Reyzman |
| ISS group 1 | Yu. Lonchakov, V. Afanas’ev, Yu. Baturin, Yu. Malenchenko, V. Dejurov. S. Zaletin & S. Treschyov |
| ISS group 2 | K. Val’kov, A. Skvortsov, M. Suraev |
| ISS group 3 | Yu. Shargin, S. Revin, S. Moschenko, O. Skripochka, O. Kononenko, M. Kornienko |
| OKP-1 (Training Group-1) | A. Samokutyaev, A. Shkaplerov, A. Ivanishin, E. Tarelkin & Kazakh candidates A. Aimbetov, M. Aimahanov |
| OKP-2 (Training Group-2) | M. Serov, A. Borisenko, O. Artem’ev, S. Ryazanskii, S. Zhukov |
| Space tourist G. Olsen | he was preparing for his flight with a special individual program, but the latest news is that he won’t be flying in October 2004 (maybe not ever) because of unspecified health reasons. So who will take the third seat is as yet unknown |
Cosmonauts not conducting flight preparations:
- G. Padalka: currently in flight.
- A. Kaleri: in post-flight rehabilitation.
- S. Volkov: at the NASA Johnson Center.
- N. Budarin: working at RKK Energiya.
- B. Morukov: working at IMBP.
So, on 31 May 2004 there are 32 cosmonauts and 9 cosmonaut-candidates. 27 cosmonauts are conducting preparations in РГНИИ ЦПК, RGNII TsPK. (Source: Novosti Kosmonavtiki July 2004, via Nick)
August
Август
10/8
An article appeared in The Moscow Times about another prospective space tourist, a rather dubious character called Sergei Polonskii, as described in “Construction Mogul Bargains for Space Ride”.
“It’s not hard to have a lot of money,” he mused. “It’s hard to know how to spend it with style.”
…Polonskii’s reputation, meanwhile, is at best mixed. On the record, his peers say he is known for keeping his word and there’s no project he has started and not finished. Off the record, they paint a less rosy picture, describing him as young and arrogant, someone known to stand important business partners up.
…Flying to space would not be the first way Polonskii has spent stylishly to distinguish himself within glittering Russian social circles.
In other words, he’s the type of arrogant sh*t who thinks he can buy anything with his millions, and only wants to go into space to impress his equally arrogant wealthy mates. Despite his millions, he is too mean to even pay the full fare (trying to negotiate down to $8 million). Those in the “glittering Russian social circles” mentioned were the sorts who got shot during the last Revolution. And good riddance, too!!!
This carry-on will only be another excuse for the Western media to make fun of the Russian space program.
18/8
Space tourist update: Greg Olsen was apparently disqualified due to unspecified medical reasons. The diary was taken offline, so I have reproduced it here.
24/8
Update: now it appears Mr. Polanskii won’t be going into orbit after all, due to (again) unspecified “health reasons”, and cosmonaut Yurii Shargin will go instead. (*Sigh of relief*)
September
Сентябрь
7/9
Cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin retired.
23/9
TsENKI: “Roscosmos leaders meet cosmonauts”. The FSA Head Anatolii Perminov and cosmonauts of the Main Expedition 10 (and backup crew) to the ISS (the launch is to be carried out on October 11, 2004) met in the Federal Space Agency. The cosmonauts and astronauts were congratulated on the successful completion of their training, and “Following the tradition of the past, the FSA Head gave the main crew members ‘Official Cosmonaut’s Chronograph’ of Swiss Watch company FORTIS and KOSMONAVIGATOR Watch as a present. Also following the tradition the cosmonauts presented a large photo with their signatures to the FSA Head.”
Russian cosmonaut deployment
In orbit: MKS-9/EP-6 – G. Padalka, M. Fincke.
MKS-10 (ISS Expedition 10): L. Chiao, S. Sharipov, Yu. Shargin. MKS-10D (backups): W. McArthur, V. Tokarev. The deployments of Soyuz crews in 2005 are dependent on the Shuttle return to flight. But it is assumed that Krikalyov and Phillips will fly a 2-person mission in April 05. Volkov would then go up on STS 121 and staying on board. This would work with a Shuttle launch on schedule. They would return on the Shuttle.
A return to visiting crews for October is likely.
The third seat on the April 2005 launch would have been Olsen but he was disqualified, so probably a European astronaut [to be Roberto Vittori].
| Mission | Prime | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| MKS-11 | S. Krikalyov | M. Tyurin |
| S. Volkov | R. Romanenko | |
| J. Phillips | D. Tani, D. Pettit | |
| MKS-12 | W. McArthur | J. Williams |
| V. Tokarev | A. Lazutkin | |
| S. Williams | C. Anderson | |
| MKS-13 | P. Vinogradov | J. Herrington |
| D. Kondratyev | F. Yurchikhin | |
| D. Tani | O. Kotov | |
| MKS-14 | J. Williams | M. Lopez-Algeria |
| A. Lazutkin | K. Kozeev | |
| C. Anderson | G. Riesman |
| MKS Group 1 | Yu. Lonchakov, V. Afanas’ev, Yu. Baturin, Yu. Malenchenko, V. Dezhurov, S. Zalyotin, S. Treshchyov |
| MKS Group 2 | K. Val’kov, S. Volkov, A. Skvortsov, M. Sura’ev |
| MKS Group 3 | Yu. Shargin, S. Revin, S. Moshchenko, O. Skripochka, M. Korniyenko |
| OKP Group 1 | A. Samokutyaev, A. Shkaplerov, A. Ivanishin, E. Tarelkin, A. Aimbetov, M. Aymakhanov |
| OKP Group 2 | M. Serov, A. Borisenko, O. Artem’yev, S. Ryazanskiy, S. Zhukov |
| IMBP | Morukov |
| JSC Houston | S. Volkov. Likely to be replaced soon as his training develops |
| Energiya departments 292 and 293 | Budarin and Kaleri (resting post-mission) |
| Canada | Thirsk is undertaking Soyuz training |
| ESA | Reiter is training for a long duration mission. Likely to be Expedition 15 with a Russian and American |
(Source: Rex Hall)
October
Октябрь
11/10
The second training of Soyuz TMA-5 crews in a descent module was carried out on October 9, 2004 at Baikonur. The crews inspected the spacecraft, checked their belongings, equipment and loads stowage, and accepted the spaceship. The crews were also trained to use the “Iridium” satellite telephones. After the training the spacemen answered several questions:
Chiao: “Russian techniques are very reliable. Their spacecraft and launch vehicle are ready for the mission and I think everything will be fine. We checked the rocket and ready for the flight.”
Sharipov was asked a question how a possible delay of the Shuttle mission could influence their works. Sharipov’s answer was: “It was planned that we are to collect loads for their delivery to Earth aboard the Shuttle. If the Shuttle mission is not performed, we will collect loads, but they’ll be delivered later. We have a tough schedule for this period – to receive and unload the Progress, to carry out a spacewalk, then to receive the Shuttle.”
If the Shuttle mission is cancelled, the task will be easier.
Question: Do you feel tired?
Answer: Just a little. We are in agitation, we have intensive trainings. We are ready for works and sure that we will be able to do everything. And about the trainings: We are satisfied with the today’s training. The rocket is ready for the mission. It’s very good.
After the training the spacemen visited the Gagarin Launch Complex and a museum on Site #2 of Baikonur.
– TsENKI
13/10
Sergei Zalyotin (Air Force, Colonel) is leaving the cosmonaut group and has been elected as a deputy in the Russian Parliament (Duma, Дума), representing the Tula region. He commanded the last Mir mission (Soyuz TM-30) and the first flight of the Soyuz TMA.
Total in Cosmonauts’ Group: 31 cosmonauts and 9 cosmonaut-candidates (not including the two from Kazakhstan).
Total NASA Active & Management astronauts: 96 active, 47 on management status (143 total), plus the 11 recruits in training.
22/10
MSNBC.com: “An unusual path to space and back”, James Oberg. Profile of Yurii Shargin.
November
Ноябрь
12/11
From the Novosti Kosmonavtiki news release №434:
12/11/2004/15:56 In Russia a united Cosmonaut Group will possibly be created
Roskosmos is examining a question about the creation of a united force of cosmonauts, reports RIA Novosti. “Now we examine the question about the creation of the united force of cosmonauts, which assumes expansion and, it is possible to say, the rejuvenation of personnel so that the young personnel would supplement its numbers,” said Aleksei Krasnov (the chief of the administration for the manned programs of the federal space agency) on Friday in Zvyozdnyi Gorodok (Star City).
At present in Russia there are three forces of cosmonauts. The first – most numerous and formed of military pilots, resides at the cosmonaut center of training at Zvyozdnyi Gorodok, outside Moscow.
Energiya has its small force of civil cosmonauts located in the suburb of Korolev, north-east of Moscow.
Furthermore, the number of cosmonaut-physicians prepared in Moscow the Institute of Biomedical Problems, among which is the world long-duration flight record holder, Dr. Valerii Polyakov.
Most likely, a united force of cosmonauts will be based at TsPK, the Yurii Gagarin Cosmonauts’ Training Center.
Russian version, Русская версия: В России, Возможно, Создадут Единый Отряд Космонавтов.
A posting by Shams at the NK forum on 12/11:
Recently, two additional cosmonauts left the force: Dezhurov and Budarin. The precise dates of orders as yet I do not have, I hope to establish this on the following week. I am turned to Aleksandr Zheleznyakov – as yet there is probably no point (as there are no dates) in placing this communication in the “news”. According to the preliminary information, Dezhurov remains working at TSPK, and Budarin already works as shift flight control officer in GOGU at TsUP. Now in Russia there remains 29 active cosmonauts and 9 candidates in cosmonauts. In the force TSPK – 14 cosmonauts, RKK Energiya – 12 cosmonauts, IMBP – 1 cosmonaut, and still Shargin and Moshchenko. In this year it is likely no one else will depart.
15/11
From the Novosti Kosmonavtiki news release №435:
Roskosmos considers that Russia must have a united Cosmonaut Group
The head of Roskosmos, Anatolii Perminov, considers that Russia must have a united force of cosmonauts. He made this statement on Monday in the course of an Internet-briefing.
“I generally consider that it is necessary to make a united force of cosmonauts. But now their forces are composed of TSPK, RKK Energiya, and the Institute of Biomedical Problems,” he said.
According to Perminov, the force of cosmonauts recently considerably decreased. “In it remains about twenty people. We try to organize so that all our cosmonauts compulsorily would fly,” he noted.
Commenting on the situation, in which proved to be Russia in connection with the recent withdrawal of one force of the cosmonauts of the last woman, Perminov he said: “I consider that this is incorrect, woman, on the contrary, stimulates the fitness for work of crew. And by the way, with the woman as leader, all matters are solved more systematically.”
In the USA, the state of affairs concerning the cosmonaut-women radically is differed from Russian. For example, the aircraft commander of the first “shuttle”, which will fly after the catastrophe of shuttle Columbia, will be a female U.S. Air Force Colonel, Eileen Collins. For her this will be the fourth launch and the second – as the commander.
Russian version, Русская версия: Глава Роскосмоса Считает, Что Россия Должна Иметь Единый Отряд Космонавтов.
December
Декабрь
29/12
From the Novosti Kosmonavtiki news release №445:
Soon the Cosmonaut Group will be replenished
Soon the force of cosmonauts in Zvyozdnyi Gorodok [Star City] will be completed, the leader of Federal Space Agency Anatoliy Perminov stated to journalists on Tuesday. “I obtain from the leaders four each month, and also letters from individual persons with the request to examine candidates for the flights into space. It is clear that the force of cosmonauts must be renewed,” said A. Perminov. He reported that at present to the flights into space are prepared approximately 20-30 people.
“We have the practically united force of cosmonauts,” said A. Perminov, answering a question about the association of the forces of cosmonauts in the Zvyozdnyi Gorodok existing today, and also at the firm Khrunichev. A. Perminov supported the step-by-step transfer of the center of training cosmonauts in the Zvyozdnyi Gorodok from the department of the Ministry of Defense RF into Roskosmos. “We thoroughly study this question, this possibility to date,” said A. Perminov.
He explained, that at present financing the center of training cosmonauts is achieved along the line of the Ministry of Defense RF and Roskosmos in a 50-50 relationship. “Therefore we can not immediately take complete financing for ourselves. It is necessarily a step-by-step transfer,” said A. Perminov.
Russian version, Русская версия: В Ближайшее Время Отряд Космонавтов Будет Пополнен.