Avi Blizovsky
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A German citizen will become the first European Space Agency astronaut to spend an entire six-month shift on the International Space Station. This is what the Russian space agency said.
Thomas Reiter Reiter, 46, will join the current 11th crew in July and complete his mission when the 12th crew is on station. Anatoly Ferminov, the head of the Russian space agency signed an agreement with the European Space Agency making Reiter part of the main team. He will work on both research programs and station maintenance together with the other two team members. Currently, there are only two people at the station due to the limitations in bringing passengers and equipment to the station since the Columbia disaster and the shutdown of the other ferries.
Reiter will probably fly as a third passenger on the Soyuz flight. This will be possible after the shuttles start flying again.
The news agencies hint that the arrangement with the Europeans was made in exchange for money that is so lacking in the Russian space program.
For the extended news in Universe Today
Yadan International Space Station
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