Virgil

I found this news item to be rather interesting in a male sort of way.

Spacewoman power: 4 women in orbit at same time
By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn, Ap Aerospace Writer – Fri Apr 2, 1:25 pm ET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –

Space is about to have a female population explosion.

One woman already is circling Earth in a Russian capsule, bound for the International Space Station. Early Monday morning, NASA will attempt to launch three more women to the orbiting outpost — along with four men — aboard shuttle Discovery.

It will be the most women in space at the same time.

Men still will outnumber the women by more than 2-to-1 aboard the shuttle and station, but that won't take away from the remarkable achievement, coming 27 years after America's first female astronaut, Sally Ride, rocketed into space.

A former schoolteacher is among the four female astronauts about to make history, as well as a chemist who once worked as an electrician, and two aerospace engineers.

Three are American; one is Japanese.
[Snip]

Read the rest here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_women_in_space

Why is this interesting in a male sort of way? Good Lord, can you imagine if they’re all having their monthly problem at the same time? What will that lone male American have to endure? Have they trained him for this? Can you imagine being surrounded by four raging women on PMS with chutzpah syndrome? After all they probably are hot shot pilots as well. If it’s anything like around most homes, it’s the females who always make the rules. What will that poor male say? Will he be able to get a word in inch wise? I bet we know who will be taking out the garbage.

And what about the female dynamics? Four women with chutzpah syndrome contained in a cramped space with little privacy and a stressful situation? Hmm, not too promising for the glory of space travel. Will they compare space suits? Will they out flirt each other over the lone male? How many space shoes will be in their closets? What will they do if the lone male is not a hair dresser? Will they whine about their cramps? Will they gossip about the Japanese woman with the push up bra and bikini underwear?

And that lone male will have to watch his every word. Being in space the women will not have access to their usual conveniences and beauty treatments. He must realize there are certain things he cannot accidently say: “What did you do to your hair?” “You’re space suit is getting tight on you.” “You’re just being emotional.” “I’ve got it all under control.” “You’re not one of those feminists, are you?” “So I left the toilet seat up, big deal.” “Geez, women space drivers.”



Ok, women, before you stone me, I’m only being tongue-in-cheek. Kudos to the women astronauts for adventurous spirit, their skill and accomplishment, and their perseverance. I think this is really cool.

There is one little bit more to highlight in the article:

Rounding out the foursome will be Tracy Caldwell Dyson, who was launched aboard a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan on Friday with two Russian men. They will arrive Sunday and settle in for a six-month stay.

Kazakhstan! That’s where the Soviets space center was located and must still be for the Russians. That’s where we’ll be going shortly, though not that region.