Russian astronaut asks to take son to ISS

Moscow, Dec 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman, who will take off for the International Space Station (ISS) Dec 15, has jokingly asked the head of Russia’s state corporation Roscosmos for permission to take her son along with her.

The Soyuz TMA-20 will deliver Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev, Italian Paolo Nespoli and Coleman to the ISS for a period of 152 days.

“Our difference in weight with Paolo Nespoli is 40 kg, and my son weighs just 37 kg. Maybe in order to make better use of space, you would allow me take my 10-year-old son - it’s his wish,” Coleman told Anatoly Perminov.

“Your son is already an adult. He would have to have his own spacesuit. This is good that he has a desire. Perhaps he will fly after you, but not now. Your son may easily fly by 2020 (expected date of the end of the ISS) - this is actual,” Perminov said.

–IANS/RIA Novosti