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| Gagarin’s p*ssing tradition in danger as new Russian spacesuits lack FLY (PHOTO) | Gagarin’s p*ssing tradition in danger as new Russian spacesuits lack FLY (PHOTO) |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A new Russian spacesuit unveiled at the MAKS-2019 airshow might spell the end of the decades-old cosmonaut tradition of taking a leak on the wheel of the bus carrying them to their rocket, as it lacks the key implement – a fly. | A new Russian spacesuit unveiled at the MAKS-2019 airshow might spell the end of the decades-old cosmonaut tradition of taking a leak on the wheel of the bus carrying them to their rocket, as it lacks the key implement – a fly. |
| The spacesuit, dubbed Sokol-M, is meant to replace an older variant of the Sokol-series garment, used during ascent, descent and docking stages of space flight. The new suit has been designed specifically to be used with the upcoming Russian spaceship Federatsiya. | The spacesuit, dubbed Sokol-M, is meant to replace an older variant of the Sokol-series garment, used during ascent, descent and docking stages of space flight. The new suit has been designed specifically to be used with the upcoming Russian spaceship Federatsiya. |
| According to the developers, the device boasts more comfort than its predecessors and is said to be more durable. A single one will last for at least ten uses. | According to the developers, the device boasts more comfort than its predecessors and is said to be more durable. A single one will last for at least ten uses. |
| It might have a little design flaw however – it doesn’t have a fly. Currently utilized suits, Sokol-KV-2, feature special lacing in that particular area of the garment. | It might have a little design flaw however – it doesn’t have a fly. Currently utilized suits, Sokol-KV-2, feature special lacing in that particular area of the garment. |
| The flaw might seem minor, given that the suit is meant to be worn only for a limited amount of time, yet it would prevent the male cosmonauts from taking part in the pre-flight p*ssing tradition. | The flaw might seem minor, given that the suit is meant to be worn only for a limited amount of time, yet it would prevent the male cosmonauts from taking part in the pre-flight p*ssing tradition. |
| The tradition is at least as old as the manned spaceflight, dating back to Yuri Gagarin himself. While travelling to his rocket from the space center by bus, the man-to-become the first in space requested an unscheduled stop, disembarked the vehicle and took a leak on its wheel. Unlike modern cosmonauts, who believe this action to be a lucky ritual, Gagarin is said to have simply felt the urge – and wanted to prevent any potential accidents of sorts during the flight. | |
| When asked about the lack of a fly, the general director of the spacesuit development company, Zvezda, Sergey Pozdnyakov explained that no specific requests about it had been made. | When asked about the lack of a fly, the general director of the spacesuit development company, Zvezda, Sergey Pozdnyakov explained that no specific requests about it had been made. |
| Yet, it’s not the final version of the garment, he explained, and the Sokol-M might actually receive this crucial addition in the future. The suit is expected to be ready for tests in 2020. | Yet, it’s not the final version of the garment, he explained, and the Sokol-M might actually receive this crucial addition in the future. The suit is expected to be ready for tests in 2020. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |