Russian Spacecraft's Payload On Display
Want to take a peek at the payload of a Russian spacecraft?
Beginning at 11 a.m. today at the Museum of Flight near Boeing Field, you can.
But the payload isn't military hardware, it is messages of peace and cooperation that were blasted into space Nov. 15 in Russia, circling the Earth about 100 times and then landing eight days later off the Washington coast.
The 2 1/2-ton, 8-foot-wide capsule was plucked from the sea by the crew of the Russian missile-tracking ship, the Marshal Krylov, which brought it to Seattle.
The capsule's payload contains 20 containers of items that include a variety of Russian cultural gifts to Seattle, Washington state and the United States.
Also inside are messages from Russian President Boris Yeltsin and other European leaders.
A number of Russian handicrafts and a photo exhibit are also enclosed.
The capsule has been donated to the museum. Its contents will be on display for an indefinite period, depending on the condition of the items inside.
Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $3 for those ages 6 to 15, and children under 6 free.
Other events today connected to the Russians' visit here are the opening of the Pepsi Friendship Center in the Sheraton Hotel downtown where there will be a Russian art exhibit, a Russian graphic-arts display and a showing of drawings by Russian and American children. It runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge.
The public can tour the vessel, the Marshal Krylov, at Pier 42, 2 to 5 p.m., also free of charge.
At 3 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Montlake, a couple who flew over with the Russian contingent are getting married at 3 p.m. The public is invited.
Another Russian space object, a Photon spacecraft, is being auctioned today at 2 p.m. at Satori's Auctioneers, 2305 Fifth Ave.
The 5,000-pound module was used in one space flight in 1990, and in micro-biology experiments. The auction is not open to the public.
The spacecraft, now owned by a French company, is expected to be purchased by a flight or aerospace museum.
Tomorrow, the Pepsi Friendship Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be tours of the ship from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
The Marshal Krylov departs at noon Monday. There are activities scheduled Monday.