No comradeship in space
April 23rd 2009 According to Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, a Russian astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) has been banned from using the US toilet and exercise bike.
Gennady Padalka, 50, asked if he could use the US gym facility to keep fit on the voyage, and was told he could. Then just before lift off, he was informed that he was not allowed to use the facility. Bureaucratic regulations now also require US and Russian cosmonauts to eat their own rations, and, added Padalka: "They also recommend us to only use national toilets."
Padalka told the BBC that the lack of sharing was lowering the crew's morale. He believes the problem is due to the ISS becoming a more commercial operation and that Russian and US cosmonauts had worked in 'perfect harmony' for many years, but problems began in 2003 when Moscow started billing Washington for sending its astronauts into space.
"What is going on has an adverse effect on our work," said Mr Padalka, 50, a veteran of two space missions who is to be the station's next commander. But, he said, those on board the ship would continue to look towards their higher purpose. "Cosmonauts are above the ongoing squabble, no matter what officials decide. It's politicians and bureaucrats who can't reach agreement, not us." More articles from Cleaning Matters: | 
