August 5, 2009

André Kuipers to stay half a year in space

Filed under: Science by Branko Collin @ 10:19 am

André Kuipers has been to space before, but according to De Telegraaf (Dutch) this time the Amsterdam medical doctor is scheduled for a half year stay on the ISS as part of expedition 30/31. He should be launched to the space station in a Soyuz TMA space craft (seats three) in December 2010.

Kuipers went to space before as an ESA astronaut on a 10-day trip in 2004 on top of a Soyuz rocket. He was the second Dutch astronaut, following in the footsteps of Wubbo Ockels. I remember his launch rekindled my interest in space exploration back then, and I am only a jaded 41- year-old. Imagine how Dutch kids will respond to seeing a countryman in space.

(Photo: NASA)

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October 11, 2007

Bacteria from Groningen into space

Filed under: Science by Orangemaster @ 12:21 pm
soyuz1.jpg

Today a big ol’ bunch of bacteria gets a tour of space. The Groningen company Bioclear is sending them into space in order to test a new type of biological air filter.

The bacteria is hitching a ride with the Russian Soyuz capsule (probably not this one) being launched from Kazakhstan. Within two days, the Soyuz will be coupled to the International Space Station (ISS) and will remain spinning around the earth until 23 October.

Of course, if you read Dutch, the comments related to this news story poking fun at other recent news in Groningen (HIV party, the slogan ‘nothing tops Groningen’, etc.) is a real gas. Feel free to ask us.

(Link: nieuwnieuws.nl)

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