[FPSPACE] Why So Many Uniformed Workers At Soyuz Pre-Launch Prep?

[Igor Lissov]

Jim,

>I noticed on TV that there were still lots of uniformed military workers
>during Soyuz pre-launch prep. We've been told that the transition is
complete
>from Military Space Forces to RAKA (civilians) for Baykonur ops, so what
>happened?


Some of them may be observers/controllers from LtGen Baranov's
staff. It's prudent to have the most experienced personnel on
the spot in such an important launch.

Others are (and nobody tries to hide this) former majors,
ltcols and colonels now civilian servants transferred
to TsI-1 KBOM. Or should RAKA dump them? And uniform...
in Russia, so many people wear uniforms...

And finally, answer to your question: nothing happened :-).

Igor Lissov