Russian Cosmonauts Sign Contracts for ISS Mission

Prior to their launch, the Russian cosmonauts signed contracts for a four-month mission to the International Space Station with Energiya. The value of the contract signed by the cosmonauts was not disclosed. However, sources indicate the Russian cosmonauts will be paid about as much as was given to previous crews on board the Russian orbital station "Mir" - around a hundred dollars per day plus extras for docking, space walks and dealing with emergency situations. The U.S. astronaut is paid separately by NASA. A clause obliging the cosmonauts to advertise watches made by a famous Swiss company was withdrawn from the contract as it infringes rules in the Cosmonauts' Code. Advertising might be possible as a separately-paid job.

The document had earlier been signed by the Yuri Koptev, head of the Rosviacosmos (Russian Space Agency).

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