ISS mission on the eve of blastoff

Each space traveler, professional or tourist, before going comes to the cosmonaut training center outside Moscow into orbit.

For years Star City was kept away from the West's eyes during the Cold War space race. Today, Gagarin's training center opens its doors to astronauts of all nationalities. At this moment, the international crew of the 20th mission to the ISS is training in a full-scale mockup of a Russian part of the International Space Station.

After a year of joint training the three crew members appear to share a common language, despite the team being made up of Canadian and Belgian astronauts and a Russian commander.

Roman Romanenko

For Roman, the son of Russia's space hero Yury Romanenko, who spent almost a year and a half in space, it will be his first flight.

“I am not nervous at all. We are going to carry out a number of medical and scientific tests. There is some outdated equipment which has to be replaced. Also, we will be docking with several shuttles and transport spaceships carrying new equipment and supplies, including the first-ever Japanese transport ship. Our crew is 100% ready,” says Russian cosmonaut and 20th ISS Mission Commander Roman Romanenko.

This mission is made up of professionals only, because the ISS will see the first ever increase in the size of the permanent crew – doubling its roster from three to six. There will not be any room for tourists on board.

The head of the administration of the piloted programs of Russia’s RosCosMos space corporation Aleksey Krasnov explains that “Our goal has always been to let more people work in space. We'll sacrifice space tourism for a while, but it's worth it.”

The space station has the volume of a five-bedroom house or two Boeing 747s. It covers the area of four football fields. Cosmonauts say the station is more than ready to house a crew of six.

Commander Roman Romanenko is sure that “the ISS may house even more people, up to 14.” He says he does not think the cosmonauts will hamper each other. “We'll have to have twice as much food, water and clothing on board, but at the same time we'll be more effective as well.”

The crew's last training session will take place in Star City and then in Baikonur. Their flight is scheduled for the end of May, and if everything goes according to plan, they will spend six months away from Earth.

“Dear friends! If you have any questions or comments about what we're doing in space, please let us know. It will be useful and interesting if we can work together, if there's more feedback. We'll be happy to answer all your emails and calls!” stated Roman Romanenko.