maxim
Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 136
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:12 am Post subject: A Brazilian In the Heavens. History in the making. |
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| Quote: | Brazil's first astronaut to do engineering, physics, biology tests in space
Brazil's first astronaut Marcos Cesar Pontes will do experiments in engineering, physics and biotechnology on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft next year, Brazilian Space Agency President Sergio Gaudenzi told the media on Tuesday.
The first space flight by a Brazilian is important, because he can perform experiments for eight days, much more than the few minutes Brazil normally has for experiments in test rockets, Gaudenzi said.
Pontes will spend eight days on the international space station, and he will be able to carry 15 kg of material for experiments, of which only five kg can be returned to earth.
With Pontes, Brazil enters into the select club of nations that has sent men to space, he added.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed the cooperation with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow in October. The flight will cost around 10 million U.S. dollars, about half the typical cost for such a trip.
Source: Xinhua |
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