Comments on: Soyuz successfully launches three astronauts to ISS https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/soyuz-successfully-launches-three-astronauts-to-iss/ Thu, 09 Apr 2020 13:50:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Richard M https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/soyuz-successfully-launches-three-astronauts-to-iss/#comment-1078768 Thu, 09 Apr 2020 13:50:25 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=64828#comment-1078768 Vedemosti is reporting that NASA is expected to sign a contract for one seat each on MS-17 and MS-18: https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2020/02/16/823140-v

The astronaut listed for MS-17 is Stephen Bowen.

I’ve yet to see any confirmation from NASA sources, however; so take it for what it’s worth. It could be that with Starliner kicked back to next year, they don’t want to take any chances.

Of course if that happens, and USCV-1 goes off as scheduled, that means that, come October, there would be 4 US astronauts, 1 JAXA astronaut, and 2 Russian cosmonauts on the ISS.

]]> By: Scott M. https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/soyuz-successfully-launches-three-astronauts-to-iss/#comment-1078765 Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:03:00 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=64828#comment-1078765 Fun Fact: I didn’t know until now that there’s a movie that’s required viewing for anyone launching on a Soyuz:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/i-was-bored-so-i-watched-the-movie-that-astronauts-must-view-before-launch/

Apparently the movie was watched by the crew of the Soyuz 12, who were returning to flight after the disaster of Soyuz 11. It’s now considered good luck to watch before any flight.

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