Next Iss Mission Crew Proposed

MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) – An inter-departmental commission has suggested that Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao should be members of the tenth main mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Russian Federal Space Agency spokesman Vyacheslav Davidenko told Interfax.

The third seat aboard a Soyuz spaceship that will deliver the crew to the ISS is expected to be given to Space Forces Lieut. Col. Yury Sharigin.

“A final decision will be made tomorrow,” the spokesman said.

“The Federal Space Agency will officially approve the main and backup crews of the tenth ISS mission and the seventh visiting mission on August 28,” said the agency’s press service.

“The interdepartmental commission responsible for approving the main and backup crews for the next ISS mission held its session on Friday. The session was chaired by Federal Space Agency deputy head Nikolai Moiseyev,” the press service said.

“During the session, its participants voiced their suggestions and remarks, reported on preparations for the flight and planned pre- flight events, and the main tasks of this ISS mission. The interdepartmental commission suggests Salizhan Sharipov and NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao as members of the main crew, and Yury Sharigin as the visiting crew. The backup crew will be represented by Valery Tokarev and William McArthur,” the press service said.