NASASpaceFlight.com Forum

International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Russian Launchers - Soyuz, Progress and Uncrewed => Topic started by: Suzy on 01/17/2009 03:29 am

Title: Space tourist oral histories
Post by: Suzy on 01/17/2009 03:29 am
"Very Stunning, Very Space, and Very Cool (http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/21808/page1/)" An oral history of the launch of space tourism at Technology Review, Jan/Feb 2009. Some interesting reading!

Ansari: I didn't let them see it. I thought, "Oh my God, they will think I'm stupid. I have my vomit floating around the cabin." I managed to grab a bag before it got too bad. I just had a little bit of it floating around. The good thing about it is it's floating, so you can catch it. I was able to catch it with a napkin and put it in the bag before they all could see it.

Simonyi: The final checkout is in a doctor’s office, with a medical team of three or four doctors. It’s the most junior one who gives you the enema.

Garriott: The thing is to try to make sure you don’t need to use the rest room on board the Soyuz.

Olsen: Here’s the reason: on the Soyuz capsule, there’s a ­facility for a bowel movement, but you really don’t want to make a bowel movement on it. Imagine using a teapot to make a bowel movement. All right?


And similar delightful anecdotes  ;D
Title: Re: Space tourist oral histories
Post by: jacqmans on 01/17/2009 12:55 pm
This a very good read, thanks for the link !!
Title: Re: Space tourist oral histories
Post by: eeergo on 01/17/2009 01:04 pm
Agreed, lots of funny and (for me at least) unknown details about some nitty-gritty aspects.

Didn't know NASA censored astronaut's e-mails and comms... that's awful, kills creativity and gives a homogeneous and boring look to the more down-to-earth experiences they could share. Censorship is rarely appropiate, and least of all in these cases.
Title: Re: Space tourist oral histories
Post by: Oersted on 01/27/2009 12:21 pm
Didn't see this thread before I posted the link myself, sorry. Yes, certainly a great read!