Slashdot Mirror
Cold War Standoff Over ISS Toilet
Hugh Pickens writes "The International Space Station, once a place where astronauts would share food and facilities, is said to be embroiled in a Cold War-like stand-off after a Russian cosmonaut complained he is no longer allowed to use a US toilet or the US gym machine. Gennady Padalka, a veteran Russian cosmonaut, says that space officials from Russia, the United States and other countries now require cosmonauts and astronauts to eat their own food and follow stringent rules on access to other facilities, including lavatories. Padalka, who will be the station's next commander, says the arguments date back to 2003, when Russia started charging other space agencies for the resources used by their astronauts and other partners in space station responded in kind. 'Cosmonauts are above the ongoing squabble, no matter what officials decide,' says Padalka. 'We are grown-up, well-educated and good-mannered people and can use our own brains to create normal relationship. It's politicians and bureaucrats who can't reach agreement, not us, cosmonauts and astronauts.' While sharing food in the past helped the crew feel like a team, the new rules oblige Russian cosmonauts and US astronauts to eat their own food. 'They also recommend us to only use national toilets,' says Padalka. 'What is going on has an adverse effect on our work.'"
What fucking idiot politician thought this up?
im sure some cave man council decided it would create too much cooperation between rival clans, and tried to stop the project.
What was he eating that he clogged up the US toilet?
Thats a legitimate complaint... do you know how much it costs to get a plumber to do a service call?
"The average Rooskie, son, don't take a dump without a plan."
Politicians: Hard at work to put the "SS" in ISS.
Just Godwin'd this somehow.
Reviewing just the first hour of video games.
Additionally, there seem to be squabbling about the 'under/over' controversy with the toilet paper roll.
My blog
Seriously though, can't the crew just tell the people on the ground to shove it up their ass?
I think that's pretty much what they're saying: 'Cosmonauts are above the ongoing squabble, no matter what officials decide,' says Padalka. 'We are grown-up, well-educated and good-mannered people and can use our own brains to create normal relationship. It's politicians and bureaucrats who can't reach agreement, not us, cosmonauts and astronauts.'
It's refreshing to have such a public statement of defiance in the face of stupidity. Too bad Republicans and Democrats (not just the politicians but also their brown shirts on the ground) don't do the same in a very forward manner. Yes, Slashdot drones, I'm looking at you.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
Remember, the ISS is now recycling urine for drinking water. Allowing cosmonauts to use our toilet would risk the contamination of our precious bodily fluids. Twice, no less.
What are the bosses going to do, stop by their desk and give them a stern talking-to?
The alternative is "you never go to space again and your career as an astronaut/cosmonaut is over". There have been lots of stories in the past about how astronauts are treated like lab rats but they put up with it because it's the only way to get to orbit.
"Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
No, this one is on the Russians. They started it. The Americans are just playing tit-for-tat (with random forgiveness, we presume), which is always an appropriate moral strategy.
This is not the first time the Russians, bankrupt, have pulled a stunt like this. Mir was full of junk because the Russians would lease space to whoever to run an experiment and would then refuse to bring the experiment's materials back to Earth. They kept them on board in order to continue charging the (exorbitant) rent for space aboard Mir. The cosmonauts complained about the piles of junk, though not publicly.
FATMOUSE + YOU = FATMOUSE
All the organs of the body were having a meeting, trying to decide who was the one in charge.
After a while, the feet, stomach, eyes, and brain agreed that the asshole was in charge.
"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." --The American President (20.1.2009)
The same reason perfectly wealthy people quibble over pennies on a dinner bill? When scarcity is no longer a concern, you're still left with the assholes of the world :)
Russians began it by charging to use "their" resources
Actually, Russians started to charge for the ride to the station which is completely understandable considering costs involved.
Summary is rather inflammatory by calling it "charging for resources".
Yea, the toilet thing is a really petty retaliation. But this is the era of asymmetric warfare after all...
It's purely a political 'pissing contest'.