US and Russian space agencies to launch first year-long mission on the ISS

If you thought that year out around Europe was an eye opener, how about 12 months on the International Space Station? That's what's in store for two unnamed astronauts. Currently, the maximum stay on the ISS is six months, but in 2015, one Russian, and one American will work their way through the whole calendar, in a trip that could help pave the way for deep space travel. Plenty of data has already been collected about the effect microgravity has on the body, but less is known of the longer-term implications. NASA is already considering sending manned expeditions to near-Earth asteroids and Mars in the coming decades -- but the results from this excursion could prove invaluable. The names of the chosen two haven't been revealed, and the Soyuz capsule's (currently unaccounted for) third-seat has also sparked talk of another person possibly coming along for the ride. Time to re-plan that gap year?Filed under: Misc, Science, AltUS and Russian space agencies to launch first year-long mission on the ISS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  Space.com  | Email this | CommentsCisco Nexus 7010 Switch Cisco Nexus 7010 Visio Cisco Nexus 7018 Cisco Nexus 7018 Specs Contour Nexus 7 Coaster Elegance Nexus 7 Coaster Elegance Nexus 7 Coaster Og Dynamolys Galaxy Nexus 7 Hands On Galaxy Nexus 7 This Week Galaxy Nexus 7 Today Google Asus Nexus 7 Tablet Google Nexus 7 Google Nexus 7 16gb Tablet Google Nexus 7 8gb Google Nexus 7 Accessories Google Nexus 7 Best Buy Google Nexus 7 Case Google Nexus 7 Cover Google Nexus 7 Dock Google Nexus 7 Docking Station Google Nexus 7 Games Google Nexus 7 Gaming Google Nexus 7 Gaming Review Google Nexus 7 Hands On Google Nexus 7 Hands On Review Google Nexus 7 Hands On Today Google Nexus 7 Inch Google Nexus 7 Inch Tablet Google Nexus 7 Keyboard Google Nexus 7 Keyboard Case