Liz
6th August 2003, 01:54 PM
International Space Station cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko is going forward with plans to get married while in orbit, ignoring officials' advice to wait until his return to Earth. Malenchenko had promised officials to put off his marriage until his scheduled return in October but then changed his mind and said he would proceed with the wedding on Aug 10th, which is to take place on Earth while he is in orbit. He will be represented at the ceremony by a lawyer.
His bride is resident in USA and they have obtained a mariage licence in the State of Texas, where both parties do not need to be present at the ceremony. He also arranged for his tail coat and wedding ring to be flown out secretly on a cargo craft visiting the station. The authorities have expressed concern because under Russain regulations he needs premission to marry a foreigner because of his assumed access to official secrets.
The couple have been accused also of seeking publicity. Presumably this is a first!
His bride is resident in USA and they have obtained a mariage licence in the State of Texas, where both parties do not need to be present at the ceremony. He also arranged for his tail coat and wedding ring to be flown out secretly on a cargo craft visiting the station. The authorities have expressed concern because under Russain regulations he needs premission to marry a foreigner because of his assumed access to official secrets.
The couple have been accused also of seeking publicity. Presumably this is a first!