Peressild plays a doctor in the film, announced as a space drama, who is supposed to save a cosmonaut who is sick on the ISS. The spaceman has therefore lost consciousness. He would not survive the return flight to Earth. The doctor should therefore operate on him on the ISS. 35 minutes of the film should take place in space.
In reality, surgical intervention in a space station is not possible, said Oleg Kotov, Vice-Director of the Institute for Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. “At most, it is possible to sew vessels or the skin.” There are also medical devices for resuscitation there, he told the Ria Novosti state agency. Serious illnesses, however, would have to be treated on earth.
On their way to the ISS in Soyuz MS-19, Peressild and Schipenko are accompanied by the cosmonaut Anton Schkaplerow. The 49-year-old also gets a role in the flick: He will be seen as a spaceman who flies the doctor to the ISS. Before the start, he said that the role as an actor was unfamiliar to him. “This is not a poem we learned in school.”
Space tourism as a new business model
Roskosmos sees the film as a “scientific and educational project” at the same time. This is also intended to advertise the astronaut profession and do PR for the industry. In the opinion of the space agency, the “accelerated training” as the film team went through will also be needed in the future to send other specialists such as doctors or researchers into space – not just full-time space travelers.
Russia also wants to bring private space tourists into space and earn additional money with them. It was only last week that Roscosmos made high revenue losses in the past year due to the pandemic public. It is also unclear how long the ISS will remain in operation. The international partner’s contract expires in 2024. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin recently gave the green light for his country to participate beyond 2024.
On the other hand, experts repeatedly warn of problems with which the more than 20-year-old station is struggling. There have been several leaks in the past and the systems for treating water and oxygen failed. There were also problems with the toilets.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211005-99-482753 / 2
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