Russian President Vladimir Putin at the launch of a space rocket in 2004 (file photo) (epa) March 7, 2006 -- Russia's federal space agency said today that the permanent crew of the orbiting International Space Station is to increase from two to six astronauts in 2009.
Until now, the permanent ISS crew has comprised one Russian and one American, on board for six months at a time. Increasing the crew would mean that European and Japanese astronauts could go on longer missions.
Anatoly Perminov, director of the federal space agency Roskosmos, said the lengths of the flights will not change. He said Russia had suggested making them one year, but that the United States did not agree.
(ITAR-TASS, AFP)
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
