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Space station rarity: 2 women on long-term crew

Terry Virts, Anton Shkaplerov and Samantha Cristoforetti- NASA photo
Terry Virts, Anton Shkaplerov and Samantha Cristoforetti- NASA photo

MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — For only the second time in the history of the International Space Station, the long-term crew will include two women. But after years of training, the last thing they want to dwell on is the fact they are women.

The station’s female population will double following Sunday’s launch of Italy’s first female astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti. She will rocket into orbit from Kazakhstan with two men. At the station, Cristoforetti will join Elena Serova, one of only four Russian women ever to fly in space.

Cristoforetti is a fighter pilot and captain in the Italian Air Force. Serova is a rocket engineer; she’s been in orbit since September. They are both spending six months in space.

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