OREANDA-NEWS. April 16, 2009. A Meeting of the Inter-Agency Commission on cosmonaut selection and appointment was held in Roscosmos today.

Selection process of the future cosmonauts is intended to be based on their abilities to implement scientific and research programs. The Commission also discussed additional recruitment of test cosmonauts and research cosmonauts in 2009 for the ISS program (until 2015). The meeting was led by Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov, chairman of the Inter-Agency Commission.

A.N.Perminov proposed to introduce some changes into the Commission Protocol. He stated that "not only pilots, but researchers from the universities shall be hired to become cosmonauts". The main emphasis should be made on the talented young people, who study prospective scientific topics. These people would continue their word during the space mission, and after it.

On the same day was informed about changes in the training program for US astronauts. They had been studying shuttle design and control within 30 years. Those who manage to enter NASA corps now, will learn Russian and study Soyuz.