THE RITUALS IN THE AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN SPACE PROGRAMMES
| American | Russian |
| On the day of launch, Nasa astronauts eat eggs and steak in tribute to Alan Shepard | Cosmonauts sign Yuri Gagarin's guest book before going to space |
| Before the launch, the crew plays five-card poker or Blackjack until the commander loses | Coins are often flattened under the train that takes the Soyuz to the launch pad |
| Also before launch, the crew is given a cake - that no one is supposed to eat | The crew are forbidden from watching the rocket rollout, and get their hair cut instead |
| In the suit-up room, astronauts sat on the same recliner chairs as in the Apollo era | On the day of launch cosmonauts must sign their door - and have a champagne breakfast |
| No mission has been numbered '13' since Apollo 13 failed to land on the moon | A Russian Orthodox priest blesses the crew before they launch |
| Jars of peanuts are considered good luck charms for unmanned landings on other worlds | On the bus to the launch pad, cosmonauts often urinate on the bus tyre - just as Gagarin did |
| Manned landings are celebrated with a meal of beans and cornbread | A small talisman - often a toy - hangs in the Soyuz capsule and 'floats' when they reach orbit |
| After a successful mission, rookes in the team have their neckties cut | No mission can take place on 24 October since the failure of a missile launch in 1960 |
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3360162/Astronaut-begins-six-month-odyssey-International-Space-Station-today.html#ixzz3uOCZ2ghW
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