NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen replaced by Kathleen Rubins in the crew of manned spacecraft "Union MS-17", traveling to the International space station in October 2020, told RIA Novosti source in the space industry.
In March, the head of the cosmonaut training Center Pavel Vlasov told RIA Novosti that Bowen selected by the American side for a flight to the "Union MS-17", and the Rubins – on "Union MS-18" with the start in April 2021.
"the crew "Union MS-17" NASA replaced Bowen on Rubins", – said the Agency interlocutor, without specifying the reason for replacement.
He added that a backup Rubins selected astronaut mark Vande HEI.
"crew List "Union MS-17 has not yet officially approved. Approval of the crew will be held in the near future", – told RIA Novosti the representative of the press service "Roskosmos".
In may, NASA announced that it has acquired the "Roskosmos" spot on "Union MS-17" for $ 90 million.
The launch of the "Union MS-17" booster "Soyuz-2.1 a" from the cosmodrome Baikonur is planned on 14 October. The Rubins, along with its crew includes Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergey Code-Crickets.
