The crew of Interntaional space station will celebrate January 1 in 16 time zones.

"The crew of ISS will have an opportunity to celebrate New Year 16 times, because they will cross the time borders of New Year for 16 times from December 31 to January 1", - said the leader of flights at Russian segment of ISS Vladimir Soloviev during press-conference in Korolev after docking of "Progress" supply spacecraft to ISS.

Soloviev has noted that among New Year presents, delivered to station by "Progress", there is no champagne. By his words, families of Russian Valery Tokarev and American William Macarthur sent letters, books, sound records, children drawings, journals. Among gifts there is a Christmas tree, he added.

The leader of flights at Russian segment of ISS informed that ISS crew will go spaceward in Russian space-suits in February 2006.

By his words, "Progress M-54" will remain docked to the station till March. "The reserve of oxygen in previous "Progress" will provide the crew for a month of work, and reserve of fuel will keep station at orbit for about 3 months", - said Soloviev.
sections: Society