Posted by dampdenim on October 30, 2000 at 20:35
Russian-U.S. Crew to Make History with ISS Launch
October 30, 2000 7:08 pm EST
By Sujata Rao
BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - Two Russians and an American are set to take off for the $60-billion International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday in an expedition that will herald a new era in the history of space exploration.
American William Shepherd and Russians Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalyov will be the first people to live on the station, blazing a trail for possible missions to other planets.
After a last day of briefings, the crew watched a classic Russian film -- according to a tradition set by the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin -- and then retired to bed early.
As they slept, last-minute preparations were being made on the great orange, white and gray Soyuz TM-31 rocket that will carry them to the ISS.
The 40-meter (120 foot) rocket will take off at 0752 GMT from Launch Pad One, the same site which blasted Gagarin into space 39 years ago. Technicians will begin fuelling it four hours before lift-off.
Legend has it that while on his way to his rocket dressed in his space suit, Gagarin was faced with the need to answer the call of nature.
He clambered out of the bus and relieved himself through a tube from his space suit against one of the rear wheels.
Since then, all cosmonauts -- men and women -- have stuck to both traditions.
"Who are we to break with tradition? No doubt other traditions will be set in future, but we must keep the old ones," Gidzenko said.
Krikalyov told state RTR television the crew had built up a good understanding during years of working together.
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