Cosmonauts urinating on a bus

Supposedly this photo depicts cosmonauts undertaking their traditional ritual bus-wheel urination on the way to the launch site. Smells like an urban legend to me, but never let it be said that I'd pass on an opportunity to post photos of guys in space-suits taking a leak on a bus. Link (via Monochrom)

[#1 posted by Tits McGee , June 19, 2008 3:01 AM]

That is exactly what I needed to see this morning.

Thank you.

[#2 posted by Anonymous , June 19, 2008 3:34 AM]

Hi! I think the picture is exactly what it seems.

"The losing hand: tradition and superstition in spaceflight"
by Alan Murphy
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1137/1

Also, there is a sharper image at this URL:

http://www.englishrussia.com/?p=1977

Regards!

[#3 posted by strider_mt2k , June 19, 2008 3:43 AM]

This is most assuredly NOT an urban legend.

Gregarin had to piss on his way to the pad.
Now they all piss on the way to the pad.

Given the opportunity, I'd be honored to piss on that bus wheel considering what follows! :D

They have their own set of rituals just like western astronauts do.
(Just more fatalistic in a life-affirming way.)

[#4 posted by Jake0748 , June 19, 2008 3:46 AM]

In space, no one can hear you pee.

[#5 posted by airshowfan , June 19, 2008 4:35 AM]

Didn't Alan Shepard urinate IN his space-suit while sitting in the rocket on the launchpad waiting to become the first American in space?

[#6 posted by Jeff , June 19, 2008 5:12 AM]

Need a "In Soviet Russia..." joke.

[#7 posted by umbilicaleyeball , June 19, 2008 5:32 AM]

Ys, bt wht ln Shprd dd wn't mk hm sx ffndr n th S.

[#8 posted by chillitom , June 19, 2008 6:24 AM]

Mark Shuttleworth spoke about performing this ritual during his talk at the first LUG Radio Live.

[#9 posted by Delta Whiskey , June 19, 2008 6:38 AM]

It's written about in the book "Two sides of the moon" by US astronaut David Scott and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov.

[#10 posted by elvisneedsboats , June 19, 2008 8:20 AM]

Yer tellin' me that a trouser zipper is all that protects them from the rigors of space?

[#11 posted by Lord Xenu , June 19, 2008 8:39 AM]

Always go BEFORE you take off.

[#12 posted by Gilbert Wham , June 19, 2008 9:13 AM]

ELVISNEEDSBOATS: Yeah, I had a wait-a-minute moment there too, but that's their undersuits they're wearing in that shot. Russian spacesuits are entered thru a hinged panel on the back. No fly there, button or zip...

[#13 posted by artbot , June 19, 2008 10:22 AM]

#5 - In Soviet Russia, bus wheels pee on you!

[#14 posted by Viadd , June 19, 2008 9:28 PM]

Maybe Laika did it first.

[#15 posted by eustace , June 19, 2008 10:05 PM]

Thanks, Artbot!
As to whether or not Laika precedes Alan Shepard in this regard, perhaps further research is in order. Or, considering the subject, not.

[#16 posted by Antinous , June 19, 2008 10:20 PM]

Whereas Laika died of heat stress, she was probably dehydrated and anuric.