MOSCOW, Nov 19 — The Russian News Agency (TASS) will be the first of all global mass media outlets to open a permanent bureau on the International Space Station (ISS).
A memorandum of cooperation by TASS and the Russian space corporation Roscosmos for a joint project was signed by TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov and Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin on Nov 17.
The first TASS correspondent onboard the orbital outpost will be Hero of Russia, cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin.
According to TASS, Misurkin's task will be to report on the space station’s daily routine. His reports will be available to the agency’s readership from TASS news resources and his photo and video contributions will be uploaded to the agency’s website and official pages on social media.
Mikhailov said TASS always seeks to be wherever breaking news happens.
"Previously, we were limited to our planet. TASS is present in all regions of Russia and in more than 60 countries. In the coming years their numbers will increase. We’ve eyed the idea that outer space may be the target of our news expansion, and I am very glad that cooperation with the Roscosmos Corporation has taken shape very quickly and harmoniously," he said.
"We consider it to be an incredible honour to regard Russian cosmonauts as our colleagues. We will be looking forward to news and amazing snapshots from orbit."
Rogozin said that the opening of a TASS bureau on the ISS would make it possible to brief a far wider audience on what is new in Russia's space industry.
"A special enlightenment and educational project by Roscosmos and TASS is expected to popularise Russia’s activity in space. The agency’s readership will have a chance to learn far more facts and details about the cosmonauts’ work in space, the research experiments they conduct, and the distinguishing features of a space flight. Roscosmos cosmonauts - the direct participants in the process - will be sharing their first-hand experience," Rogozin explained.
According to TASS, Misurkin will go on a space mission onboard the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft on Dec 8 together with Japanese billionaire Yusako Maezawa and his assistant Yozo Hirano.
Before departing for Baikonur, Misurkin will be handed a special TASS correspondent’s ID.
— Bernama
