American astronauts find a home in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow

The World

Space exploration is as American as baseball. Or is it? For the last 15 years, American astronauts have been living and working quietly out of Star City, Russia. They speak Russian, they learn from Russian cosmonauts, and in two years, the only way Americans will be able to get into space is by buying seats on Russian Soyuz spacecraft. John Schwartz, a science reporter from the New York Times, joins the Takeaway to tell the story of American astronauts with Russian lives, and how politicians could spell the end of this harmonious relationship. Guest: John Schwartz, science reporter for the New York Times. Schwartz wrote the article ?For U.S. Astronauts, a Russian Second Home,? a Science Times feature about American astronauts living, working, and getting into space from Star City, Russia.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!