Brazilian Astronaut to Fly to Iss in April 2006

MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) – Brazilian astronaut Marcus Pontes may fly to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spaceship in April 2006.

A corresponding statement by the press service of the Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) on Monday was preceded by “talks in Brasilia between the head of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and deputy head of Roskosmos Viktor Remishevsky on aspects related to preparations for Brazilian astronaut Colonel M. Pontes’ flight to the ISS aboard a Soyuz.”

The Brazilian side would like this flight to be performed in April 2006 aboard a Russian Soyuz spaceship, the statement says.

“Details of a preliminary agreement and financial contract are currently being negotiated. The ultimate agreement is due to be signed no later than November 1, 2005,” the press service quotes AEB head Sergio Gaudenzi as saying.

Pontes will start training in the Star City near Moscow in September. He will familiarize himself with Soyuz life-support systems.

Earlier, Pontes received an astronaut’s certificate in 2000 after training at NASA’s Johnson Center in Houston.