Sun, Apr 12, 2009
Returned Crewmembers Deny Rumors Of Friction Onboard
Station
Interviewed by reporters at Russia's cosmonaut training center
outside of Moscow last week - just two days after their return to
Earth from the International Space Station - American and Russian
astronauts refuted the notion of squabbles in space.
The Associated Press reports the question was fueled by Russian
cosmonaut Gennady Padalka's report of friction arising over access
to food, water, toilets, and other equipment during training on
Earth. Last month, Padalka told the Novaya Gazeta that such
difficulties between Russian and American astronauts in training
have hurt the morale of space station crews.
In Friday's interview with US astronaut Michael Fincke, Russian
cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov, and American space tourist Charles
Simonyi, the three denied having any problems cooperating in
space.
"Please don't make a mistake. This is the best partnership that
human beings have ever had. We're building the best space station
that's ever been built. We're going to the stars together," Fincke
told reporters. "So let's not let these little small things stop us
from realizing this partnership we have together."
"It's called an international space station because people from
different nationalities work there," Lonchakov said. "In space
there are no politics. What's decided on Earth is decided on Earth.
What we are working in space is completely different, we work
things out differently."
Later this year, the ISS crew will be expanded from three to six
persons, facilitated by an accelerated schedule of Soyuz missions
to transport additional astronauts.
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