Astronaut Wants Space Program With No Frills

colonist writes "A veteran astronaut wants less comfort and more exploration for future missions. British-born astrophysicist Michael Foale has clocked up 374 days in space, more than any other American astronaut. Foale said, 'We need lean and mean spaceships with no frills', such as toilets or kitchen. However, he would like better oxygen-producing systems for the space station. Foale also talked about the Russians: they played 'some sort of Russian folk song. I'm not so sure it calmed me a lot.' As Foale boarded the Soyuz, an official kicked him in the back: a Russian launch tradition. From space, Foale saw a large black cloud over the Middle East: smoke from a bombed oil pipeline in Iraq."

Comments

A kick in the back?

[Anonymous Coward]

At least he didn't get a wine bottle smashed on his face or something. I bet they just tell foreigners the kick-in-the-back is customary. "Get a load of this guy, Vladimir!" Da!

Russian traditions?

[stratjakt]

an official kicked him in the back: a Russian launch tradition

What? Kicking ass is a proud American tradition with a long history. This is just an example of the westernization of Russia.

No toilets? Wouldn't that make for a really shitty space program?

When *I* was your age

[Anonymous Coward]

We had to travel into orbit, UPHILL BOTH WAYS. We didn't have any of this new-fangled technology. We used duct tape and chewing gum, AND WE LIKED IT THAT WAY. Damned young whipper snappers, always wanting comfort.

Re:When *I* was your age

[Richard Whittaker]

Your computer had a hard drive when you were 12? Your not old... ;)

A Russian Tradition?

[rbanzai]

"As Foale boarded the Soyuz, an official kicked him in the back: a Russian launch tradition"

I doubt that this is a Russian tradition. It's what my last boss did when he showed me my cube.

Re:Except he is British

[Anonymous Coward]

Based on his philosophy of efficiency rather than comfort, I thought he was Klingon.

Re:unsure

[ImaLamer]

Actually, doesn't sound too bad.

Can I get one for my computer chair?

Re:a very intresting article!

[mistersooreams]

You don't read the SpamAssassin changelogs? What are you doing on Slashdot?!

Re:Except he is British

[borroff]

So was Benjamin Franklin, and look how that turned out...

Mental health

[Scrameustache]

NASA planners "correctly worry a lot about loneliness."
[...] the prospect of a Christmas feast for two was depressing until the two astronauts found a solution: Invite some guests. The memorable feast was captured in a photograph showing the two men with their guests, two empty spacesuits carefully propped in dining position.

Yeah, they were a few weeks away from dressing up as their mothers.
Maybe they need a few more people up there.