BUREAUCRACY over the use of gym equipment and toilets is affecting morale on the International Space Station, according to cosmonaut , who will be the next ISS commander.
Padalka says harmony was shattered in 2003 when the Russian space agency started charging to use its facilities and other agencies followed suit. It means astronauts and cosmonauts are often asked to use only their own toilets, food and water. Padalka was recently refused access to the US-run gym, he says. 鈥淲hat is going on has an adverse effect on our work,鈥� Padalka told Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. 鈥淚t鈥檚 politicians and bureaucrats who can鈥檛 reach agreement, not us cosmonauts and astronauts.鈥�
Decisions about resource use on the space station are made by representatives from member agencies sitting on the ISS Multilateral Coordination Board.
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