Russia Talking About 9 Person ISS Crew

Putin orders construction of new space launchpad, vows to give boost to space industries, AP

“Perminov said Friday that Russia may stop selling seats on its spacecraft to “tourists” starting in 2010 because of the planned expansion of the international space station’s crew. He said the station’s permanent crew is expected to grow from the current three to six or even nine in 2010. That will mean that Russia will have fewer extra seats available for tourists on its Soyuz spacecraft, which are used to ferry crews to the station and back to Earth.”