Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 02-09-2014 07:36 AM               

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I was watching NASA TV last week in which Steve Swanson, Oleg Artemyev, and Alexander Skvortsov had a press conference on their upcoming March flight. The conference was at Johnson Space Center and was wondering if there was a way to get their autographs via snail mail or the fax number to the Astronaut Office.

I would think my request for Swanson's autograph would be fulfilled, but what about the cosmonauts' autographs? Would they forward the request or would I have to send my request to their Russian address?

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-09-2014 12:29 PM               

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The crew press conferences are generally scheduled at the end of the cosmonauts' time training at Johnson Space Center.

As Swanson noted at the start of the press conference, his and his crewmates travel schedules were about to diverge. He was heading off to Germany and then back to Houston before leaving for Russia for the last six weeks of training. His cosmonaut colleagues were returning to Star City.

I don't believe the NASA mail room forwards mail to Star City.

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 02-09-2014 12:42 PM               

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Robert, thanks for reminding me. How is the request through Star City? I know it's very different than the other agencies. Is there a fee for asking? I know in other posts the recommendation is sending some Roubles, for at least some former cosmonauts, plus return postage.

Great questions were asked during the press conference and Swanson touched on his former Shuttle Training Aircraft life, which I would like to ask about in my request.

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-09-2014 12:46 PM               

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Instructions for writing cosmonauts (active or retired) at Star City can be found here. For discussion, see this thread.

At this point, given his training and travel schedule, I would not expect hearing back from Swanson until after he returns from his stay on the space station. The same is likely true for his cosmonaut crewmates.

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012