Popped into Bush House this evening to talk to the BBC World Service about Russian astronaut rituals. Apparently they urinate on the wheel of their transport vehicle just before they get on the rocket and all cosmonauts are required to watch the same 1969 adventure movie the night before the launch. Crazy stuff – but I suppose it keeps their mind of the fact that their job is ten times more deadly than serving in the American military during the Iraq war.

To catch up on the press release that triggered this story, click here. To listen to the interview, click here.