The Austrian cosmonaut spoke about the differences in training in the USSR and the USA

On May 31, Austrian cosmonaut Franz Fibek, who flew to the Soviet Mir space station in 1991 together with cosmonauts Alexander Volkov and Toktar Aubakirov, spoke about the differences in cosmonaut training in the USSR and the USA.

"There are two different approaches, but both are very good. Russian training is more "school-based" in nature: there are exams, a clear structure, schedule, and good planning. And, well, in the technical part, a lot is being done in practice. That is, when new things are being developed, many prototypes are being created, and everything is being tested to see if it can withstand vacuum or vacuum. A lot of things are tested on real equipment," he told RIA Novosti.

In the USA, according to Fibek, the training system is more free and based on independence. He noted that astronauts need to monitor their own physical fitness and health and find time for training on their own, whereas in Russia there is a clear schedule of classes with a coach. At the same time, he stressed, as a result, the same high level of training and universal skills are required everywhere.

"In American technical training, a lot is simulated — a lot of simulations are conducted. This is also good, but it has its limits. In general, both systems are good, and their combination would probably be optimal," concluded Fibek.

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Fibek reported on the same day that the crew's sense of humor helped them maintain a favorable atmosphere at the Mir station. He noted that the team has developed close friendly relations.