Sochi 2014 Torch To Make November Spacewalk

A Sochi Olympic torch

Two Russian cosmonauts will take a torch for the 2014 Winter Olympics on a spacewalk from the International Space Station on November 9.

A spokesperson for Russia's space agency told Interfax that the space torch will later be used to light the Olympic flame at the games in Sochi in February 2014.

No other tasks are planned during the spacewalk for the torch, which will feature LED illumination in place of an open flame.

In all, 14,000 torches will be used as the Olympic flame passes through 2,900 Russian towns and villages, beginning in Moscow on October 7.

Russia is expected to spend more than $50 billion to host the Winter Olympics.


Based on reporting by Interfax