How long does it take for cosmos to grow

Crazy for Cosmos - Floret Flowers

Of all the annual flowering plants you can grow in your cutting garden (or even the back of your veggie patch), none is more productive than cosmos. They truly are a cut-and-come-again flower: The more you harvest them, the more they bloom.

A single planting will produce buckets of airy, delicate, daisy-like blossoms for many months. You can arrange them on their own or weave them into mixed bouquets. The possibilities are endless.

Cosmos are incredibly easy to grow, making them perfect for beginning gardeners. Seeds can be started indoors to get a jump-start on the season or sown directly into garden beds once the weather warms.

Either way, cosmos will bloom in just under 3 months from the date you sow them.

To start indoors, sow seeds 4 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost, then plant seedlings into the garden once all danger of frost has passed. Be careful not to sow seed too early, because seedlings will quickly outgrow their pots before the weather has warmed enough to put them out into the garden.

Alternatively, you can sprinkle seeds in your garden once danger of frost has passed. In about a week, you’ll see seedlings sprout up from the soil. Keep the young plants protected from slugs and snails as they are getting established since new growth is quite tender.

Plants get very bushy and prefer a little extra room to spread out, so space plants 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 46 cm) apart. Once in the ground, cosmos will grow rapidly, so be sure to stake them early, while they are still young. Cosmos also benefit from a technique called pinching, as this will encourage the already highly productive plants to branch even more vigorously.

Here’s how it’s done: When plants are young, between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30.5 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves. This signals the plant to send up multiple stems from below where the cut was made, resulting in more abundant flower production as well as longer stem length.

I typically do two sowings of cosmos, a month apart. This gives me a wide range of flower types and loads of blooms for cutting from summer into fall. I list some of my favorites here.

The ‘Double Click’ series is available as a mix or in single colors. This unique double-flowered variety is loaded with fluffy blooms that look great in bouquets.

The ‘Double Click Mix’ (pictured above) includes snow white, vibrant cranberry, rosy mauve, and a lovely soft blush.

Individual colors are also available, and I am particularly fond of ‘Bicolor Rose’, ‘Cranberries’, and ‘Snow Puff’.

Nothing says country charm like pure white cosmos, and two of my favorite white varieties are ‘Purity’ and ‘Psyche White’.

‘Purity’ (pictured left) is a cheerful daisy-like bloomer that produces an abundance of pure white single, wildflower-like blooms.

The large, pure white blooms of ‘Psyche White’ (pictured right) are a mixture of single and semi-double flowers with a central ring of fluffy miniature petals. The ruffled flowers look like snowflakes dancing in the breeze.

Two recent introductions to the cosmos family remind me of the Sugarplum Fairy.

The pale blush petals of ‘Cupcake Blush’ are fused together, forming a teacup-shaped flower. Blooms are as big as the palm of your hand, and the edges look as if they have been cut with pinking shears. This romantic variety is a mix of single, semi-double, streaked, and solid flowers. Perfect for wedding work, this variety is a must-grow!

‘Cupcake White’ is a pure white version of its blush sister. Flowers are just as big and are extremely versatile for arranging.

If you’re drawn to rich, dramatic colors, look no further than these stunning beauties.

‘Rubenza’ (pictured left) is an uncommon cosmos in a vibrant range of colors. The large single blooms open with deep ruby petals and then fade into shades of muddy rose and terracotta as they age. There is nothing like this variety.

‘Velouette’ (pictured right) has fast become a new favorite on the farm and features deep mahogany flowers with delicate white striping. Tall and dramatic, this variety churns out armloads of long stems that are perfect for bouquets.

Two fun new novelty cosmos carry the most unusual colors. While both are on the shorter side, they make up for it in their exquisite coloring.

The delicate, pale yellow flowers of ‘Xanthos’ (pictured left) have green undertones. The unique ruffled flowers have a subtle inner collar and pale throat, and blossoms have a dark yellow eye encircled by tiny fringed petals with pale, serrated tips.

There is absolutely no cosmos like the beautiful ‘Apricot Lemonade’. The unique color reminds us of ‘Distant Drums’ roses—water-colored petals start out a soft apricot with a dusty lavender reverse and fade to a buttery yellow. Variations among the blooms include some flowers with a mauve ring at the throat. A bit of separation between the petals gives the impression of a pinwheel with snipped dovetail edges. A must-grow for event work.

Striking in both the garden and the vase, these fun and eye-catching varieties are a must-grow if you’re looking for something different.

The palest pink blooms with dark rosy throats make ‘Daydream’ (pictured left) an eye-catching addition to the landscape and a sweet treasure for the cutting garden or flower border. This variety has proven to be the most heat-tolerant cosmos we’ve grown.

‘Xsenia’ (pictured right) is an early-to-flower gem that is a new favorite on the farm. Shades of magenta, purple, and raspberry have an iridescent quality and age to an apricot cast. Blooms are more petite than those of other cosmos varieties, and medium-sized, healthy plants carry flowers on strong, upright stems. So many colors give the flowers a chameleon-like quality, and they mix well with a wide range of colors.

Finally, we have to mention two beautiful and hardworking pink treasures.

The delightful ‘Seashells Mix’ (pictured left) is filled with large, showy blooms that have fluted, tubular petals resembling seashells. Flowers come in a sweet pastel mix of pink, rose, white, carmine, and other unique bicolors.

‘Rosetta’ (pictured right) is a new variety that’s a must-have for arranging and looks stunning en masse. Blooms have a layer of half double petals that resemble fluffy petticoats. ‘Rosetta’ is a mix of soft pink, blush, and rose; each petal looks hand painted.

To prolong their flowering time, keep cosmos harvested regularly, and deadhead any spent flowers before they set seed. The individual blooms of cosmos don’t last a particularly long time in the vase, about 4 to 6 days, but each stem is loaded with multiple blossoms that open individually over a period of a week.

Harvest when the buds are colored but haven’t opened up yet; this will keep insects from pollinating them and help stretch the vase life by a few additional days.

For a small investment of time and garden space, you will be able to fill your house with these cheerful flowers all summer long.

I would love to hear your experience with this wonderful group of plants. Do you grow cosmos or plan to add them to your garden this coming season? If so, what are your favorite varieties?

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How to Grow and Care for Cosmos

Cosmos are freely flowering annuals that are easy to grow by sprinkling some seeds in the garden after any danger of frost has passed. These quintessential cottage garden flowers reach full maturity in about two months. Cosmos can be slower to germinate, but it blooms quickly after that and continues to flower through the fall. The flowers sit atop long slender stems and form a cloud of attractive color all summer that attracts bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden. Cosmos flowers look a lot like daisies. They come in a broad range of colors, with more cultivars developed every year. The leaves grow opposite on stems and are deeply lobed, pinnate, or bipinnate and feathery-looking depending on the type. If you plan to have cosmos and live in the southern U.S., consider keeping them as potted plants since they tend to be invasive there.

Common Name	Cosmos, Mexican aster, cut-leaf cosmos
Botanical Name	Cosmos sulphureus, Cosmos bipinnatus
Family	Asteraceae
Plant Type	Annual
Mature Size	1-6 ft. tall, 1-3 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Well-draining soil
Soil pH	6.0–6.8 (Acidic)
Bloom Time	Summer through fall
Flower Color	Golden yellow, white, pink, magenta, orange, yellow, red, chocolate
Hardiness Zones	2–11 (USDA)
Native Area	northern South America, Central America, and southern North America

Cosmos Care

Cosmos grow easily in beds and make great cut flowers. When established, the plants can handle drought, poor soil conditions, and general neglect. They even self-sow. This is a truly low-maintenance plant.

While some pests, like aphids, flea beetles, and thrips feed on cosmos, they're easy to control with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Aster yellows, bacterial wilt, and powdery mildew may also affect cosmos. Space plants accordingly to ensure good airflow to avoid diseases.

Taller varieties look good in the middle or rear of the border with goat's beard, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans. Shorter varieties make very colorful, airy edging plants.

Warning

Cosmos sulphureus is invasive in the southeast United States. Check with representatives from your local extension office to learn about any restrictions in your area.

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Tim Bird / Getty Images The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Light

For the best flowering, choose a site that gets full sun. Cosmos will grow in partial shade but will have fewer blooms and be less vigorous when planted in shady areas. These plants will also thrive under uninterrupted full sun in the hottest conditions, much like their native habitat: the arid regions of Mexico and Central America.

Soil

Cosmos plants prefer a neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, although they will grow in poor soil where many flowering plants languish. They perform best in medium moisture, well-drained soils, but they will perform adequately in dry soils. Avoid planting in a rich soil; it can cause the plants to get too tall and flop over. You can prevent drooping by staking the plants or growing them close to other plants that can support them.

Water

Once established, you will not need to water your cosmos plants unless there is a prolonged drought. Where water is limited, these are the last plants that require irrigation.

Temperature and Humidity

Hot weather is ideal for cosmos, and they thrive in any humidity level.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing can negatively impact cosmos. Cosmos can handle poor soil. Too much fertilizer can often lead to strong plants with lots of foliage but few blooms. Unless your plants seem to be struggling, these plants do not need fertilizer.

Types of Cosmos

There are over 25 species of cosmos. However, three species are most commonly used in gardens and landscaping. Cosmos sulphureus is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. With golden yellow blooms, it is very drought tolerant and loves hot weather. The plant grows 2 to 6 feet tall and comes in double and semi-double flowers. Some of the more recent cultivars tend to be shorter, more orangy, and with smaller flowers.

Cosmos bipinnatus are colorful daisy-like flowers that come in white, pinks, reds, and orange. At 1 to 4 feet in height, they are shorter than C. suphureus and are available in several popular hybrid series. Although they are not quite as heat tolerant as C. sulphureus, C. bipinnatus will grow well in just about any sunny space.

Chocolate cosmos are a separate species: Cosmos atrosanguineus. The dark red flowers smell like chocolate. This perennial is hardy to USDA zone 7, but it is higher maintenance than annual cosmos. Like dahlias, it grows from tubers.

Other common cosmos cultivars include:

'Bright Lights' mix: This variety boasts a blend of exuberant yellows, oranges, and reds.
'Cosmic Orange': This brilliant, semi-double orange flower has great drought tolerance.
'Peppermint Candy': An award-winning variety, the petals are splashed in magenta and white.
'Sea Shells' series: A pretty mix of pastel colors, it has distinctive tubular petals.
'Ladybird': This cosmos is a shorter variety that blooms in red, yellow, orange, or gold, averaging 18 to 24 inches tall.

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Eva Lechner / Getty Images Suzanna Ruby / Getty Images

Pruning

The only real maintenance cosmos plants need is deadheading which will prolong the flowering season. If you fall behind, shear the plants by about one-third, when most flowers have faded. This kind of pruning produces a second flush of leaves and flowers. By the end of the season, you can cut off the plants at ground level or pull them up, roots and all. However, if you leave the plants in place, they may self-seed for the following growing season.

Propagating Cosmos

Cosmos plants readily self-seed. It's best to propagate these plants after the threat of frost is gone. Although sowing seeds is the best and easiest way to propagate this plant, you can also propagate via stem cutting. When you take stem trimmings, it stimulates more leaf and flower growth. Besides seed, stem cutting is the best way to propagate this plant. Here's how you do it:

You'll need sterile pruning shears or scissors and a pot of sterile, well-draining potting soil.
Fill a small 3-inch container with moistened potting soil. Using a pencil tip, push straight down in the soil about 1 to 2 inches deep, making a shallow hole.
Look for a cosmos shoot that has 3 to 5 leaf nodes on the stem. Cut under the last leaf node. At the last leaf node, carefully cut off the leaves, leaving the node intact for new growth.
Bury the cut tip of the stem in the pencil-made hole. Make sure that the last leaf node is above the soil line. Push down the soil around the stem, compacting the soil to keep the stem upright and in place.
Water generously and keep moist. You should notice new leaf growth within three weeks. If you do, you can gently pull the root ball out of the container, Transplant the root ball to its new location.

How to Grow Cosmos From Seeds

Start seeds indoors, four to six weeks before the last frost. Or if you can sow cosmos outdoors directly in the garden well after the threat of frost is gone. Cosmos grow very quickly but can be killed by a late frost, so don't rush it. They typically germinate in 7 to 21 days at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by flowering in about 50 to 60 days.

Loosen the soil to a depth of 8 inches. Plant the seeds and cover them with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Seed packets usually recommend precise spacing, such as at 2-foot intervals, or you can scatter the seeds and let the plants support each other as they grow. You can always thin them out later, moving the extra plants to another part of the garden.

Potting and Repotting Cosmos

When growing cosmos in pots, make sure the container has bottom drainage holes. Cosmos can't handle overly wet, soggy soil. Plan on growing one cosmos plant per gallon of your container. If growing in pots, do not enrich the soil, it makes the plants grow tall, leggy, and droopy. Also, tall varieties will need staking in containers. At the very least, plan on using at least a heavy, 12-inch diameter container.

Overwintering

Cosmos is an annual. If left outside in frosty temperatures, they will die. However, at the end of the growing season, if you allow the dead flower heads to drop their seeds, cosmos seeds will go dormant and sprout when the soil warms up again in the spring.

If you have a potted cosmos in a container and want to keep your cosmos alive over the winter season, you will need a bright full sun growing lamp for at least 7 hours a day. You will need to snip off any blooms as they form. This plant's life cycle ends with flowering when it drops its seeds for the next growing season.

How to Get Cosmos to Bloom

Cosmos plants need full sun to bloom. Even the hint of shade, can restrict flowering. Also, to encourage more blooms, you need to deadhead the old blooms. For faster blooms, prune between the main stem and a leaf. The lower you cut in the stem, the longer it takes to grow more flowers.

Common Problems With Cosmos

Cosmos are easy to grow and maintain over the growing season. They are usually resistant to disease, and most insects; however, some pests can become a nuisance and affect their growth.

Wilting or Leaf Discoloration

If your plant has ample water and is not wilting from a lack of hydration, there are two possible causes.

A plant that is wilting with leaf discoloration might have a common fusarium fungal infection. If you dig up the plant and notice a pink mass on the roots, then the plant likely has fusarium. The whole plant is beyond help, will die, and should be disposed of to stop the fungus spread.

If you dig up the roots and they look healthy, the plant may have a bacterial wilt infection. The bacteria cause the stems to wilt at their base. This plant will die and should be disposed of.

Yellowing Leaves and Leaf Drop

Powdery mildew mainly affects plants in the shade. Fungus spores fly through the air and attach to a host plant in a shady spot. It creates a powdery white coating on leaves and causes leaves to yellow and fall off. To prevent powdery mildew, provide your plants good circulation, bright light, and avoid getting water on the leaves. If your plant has fungus, use a horticultural fungicide according to the package instructions.

Flowers Distorting or Stunting in Growth

As a member of the aster family, cosmos can get aster yellows, a disease spread by leafhoppers (a tiny grasshopper-looking insect). The leaves will get yellow mottling on the leaves, and the flowers will appear distorted or stunted. Dispose of these plants since there is nothing you can do help them recover.

FAQ

Cosmos are easy to care for, germinate, and will self-seed for the following growing season.
Cosmos generally take 7 to 21 days to germinate and will flower within 50 to 60 days of germination.
Cosmos is an annual that germinates, flowers, and drops seed in preparation for the following growing season. Cosmos will languish and eventually die after flowering.
C. bipinnatus are bushy plants that grow to an average height of about 1 to 4 feet. The flowers come in red, pink, and white. The leaves are spaced apart along the stem and cut into thread-like segments. The outer rays of the flowers surround the yellow-colored, clustered central disc of florets. Meanwhile, C.sulphureus can grow to a height of 2 to 6 feet. The flowers come in shades of orange, yellow, and red. It has hairy stems, and the daisy-like flowers have yellow rays and discs.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Cosmos sulphureus Cav.sulphur cosmos. United States Department of Agriculture.
Cosmos (Cosmos). Connecticut State Agricultural Experiment Station.
Cosmos bipinnatus. Missouri Botanical Garden.
Fusarium Wilts. Royal Horticulture Society.
Diseases of Cosmos. National Gardening Association.
Powdery Mildew. University of California Integrated Pest Management.
Cosmos: Aster Yellows. University of Minnesota Extension.

what happens to the human body in space / Habr

Japanese astronaut Norisige Kanai tweeted on January 8 that he had grown by 9 cm during his three weeks at the International Space Station. He expressed fears that he would not fit on the Soyuz ”, which should return it from the ISS to Earth.

However, later Norisige admitted that he was mistaken and apologized for his tweet - in fact, he grew only 2 cm. In space, the body is subject to more serious tests. For example, one of the very real dangers is deterioration and even loss of vision.

Cosmic Growth Phenomenon

Norisige Kanai's statement stirred up a whole layer of problems related to human beings in space. And height change is one of them.

Typically, an astronaut's height increases by 3% in space, which averages from 3 to 5 cm. In the absence of gravity, the human spine loses its natural curves. The muscles that keep the vertebrae tightly attached to each other are weakened. As a result, the gaps between the vertebrae become larger, the spinal column is extended and the person's height increases. Within a few months after returning to Earth, the body takes on its former shape.

According to NASA Chief Medical Officer JD Polk, it's not just space that increases adult height. “This is a normal phenomenon for the human body, which manifests itself during sleep. During sleep, the spine can spread half an inch [1.27 cm]. But when a person stands up, the spine returns to its previous shape,” he explains.

The main problem for astronauts due to the increase in height is the risk of not fitting into the seat of the chair. Armchairs are made individually for each astronaut. The production takes into account the potential increase in growth, but sometimes it is impossible to predict how much a person can “stretch out” in zero gravity. To keep muscles in good shape and control the growth process, astronauts are forced to exercise during long stays in space.

Space spoils eyesight

Compared to growth change, visual impairment is a more serious problem. About 60% of all astronauts complained of blurred vision and headaches.

For the first time, visual problems were discovered in the American NASA astronaut John Phillips, who in 2005 spent half a year on the ISS. During this time, his visual acuity decreased from 1.0 to 0.2. American Scott Kelly, who spent a year on the ISS, also reported on changes in vision.

The exact cause of visual impairment has not yet been determined. A number of scientists and space physicians believe that vision may fall due to the fact that in conditions of weightlessness there is a significant flow of blood to the head. This puts pressure on the eyeballs and optic nerve.

“When pressure increases on a nerve, its function is disrupted and the function of the eyes changes,” explains Texas A&M College of Medicine professor David Zaweia.

Canadian astronaut and physician Bob Sersk believes that nutrition and a high percentage of carbon dioxide on board, which dilates blood vessels, can have a negative impact on vision. Also, an increase in intracranial pressure can be caused by the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), with which the crew maintains physical fitness.

According to another study, changes in intracranial pressure can be triggered by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which changes its properties under weightless conditions.

According to lead author Noam Alperin of the University of Miami, one of the main functions of the CSF is pressure stabilization. Due to the violation of gravity, the volume of the liquid increases and harms a person. CSF accumulates around the eyes and optic nerves and literally "flattens" them. If an astronaut stays in space for a long time, the fluid in the brain will only accumulate. In the future, there is a risk of losing vision or earning farsightedness.

Remarkably, only men complained about the deformation of vision. Scientists attribute this to two factors. Firstly, in women, the vessels are better stretched. Secondly, the average age of female astronauts is slightly less than that of male astronauts.

Deformation of vision is of paramount importance. “They [the astronauts] need to get into orbit, land, do the necessary work, and then return to Earth. To do this, it is vital to preserve vision,” adds David Zaweia.

Increased body temperature

Another serious health problem that is common among astronauts is space fever. Until now, the problem remains poorly understood.

According to a new study by scientists from the Charité Medical University in Berlin, body temperature rises in weightlessness and can rise as physical activity intensifies. At the same time, the temperature does not immediately become high. The increase occurs over a couple of months, when the human body adapts to new living conditions.

For the study, a system was developed that takes temperature readings from the human body using sensors. Scientists began collecting information about the body temperature of astronauts 90 days before their flight, and completed 30 days after their return. During this time, 11 astronauts wore sensors on their foreheads.

According to scientists, after the astronauts spent two and a half months in orbit, their temperature during physical activity was constantly above 40 ℃. In the absence of loads, the average temperature was 37 ℃.

Researchers explain such changes by the fact that thermoregulation mechanisms fail in space. In this regard, the level of heat and the amount of sweat that the human body releases changes. In addition, sweat evaporates worse from the skin, which prevents the body from cooling. According to one of the researchers of the Hanns-Christian Gung project, in zero gravity it is difficult for the human body to get rid of unnecessary heat. In this case, as in the case of growth, thermoregulation is restored after returning to Earth.

It is likely that the list of problems associated with a long stay of man in space will continue to expand. Without their solution, plans for space expansion do not look very rosy.

Links:

How Gender Affects Adaptation to Space - The Impact of Sex and Gender on Adaptation to Space
How the astronauts' body temperature changes in long-duration missions — Increased core body temperature in astronauts during long-duration space missions

Who are recruited as astronauts and how doctors train them

Previously, all the boys wanted to become astronauts; the stars on the black-black fabric of the Universe and the globe, covered with a light veil of atmosphere, beckon people behind the clouds. But the dreamers would know what efforts and how many hardships it takes to soar above the surface of the planet and take a look at it, swimming in weightlessness to the porthole.

Who can be selected as cosmonauts

The chance to go into orbit appears when Roskosmos announces an additional recruitment to the cosmonaut corps on the instructions of the government. First of all, the candidate must match the anthropometric parameters: height, weight, chest circumference, foot length, etc. For example, sitting astronaut should be no higher than 99 cm to fit in a chair. The width of the hips and the size of the shoulder area should also not exceed the specified parameters.

Member of the prime crew of ISS 55/56 Oleg Artemiev

Only fighter pilots were taken into the very first detachment: young men with perfect health, physical training at the level of a master of sports, enduring overload, able to quickly navigate in unforeseen situation. The astronauts went into the unknown: no one fully understood how weak gravity would affect the body, how different the situation would be from the earth, whether a person would be able to recognize the danger and quickly make the right decision.

How future cosmonauts are trained

It has become easier to pass the selection for the cosmonaut corps, but the study is still intense, difficult and long - not everyone can stand it. Success largely depends on professional experience, training, and most importantly, motivation. Rogozhnikov remembered one military pilot who could become the commander of the air force, but went as an ordinary cosmonaut, although many dissuaded him. “He flew into space,” said the deputy head of the FMBA.

Why difficulties do not end after landing

Sending a man into space is half the battle: it is necessary that he endure the return to terrestrial conditions. In the old days, after a two-week flight, astronauts could not get out of the capsule without help. Therefore, the Institute of Biomedical Problems has developed restorative techniques. Now astronauts spend an average of six months on the ISS, after the flight they gain strength and, if there are no health and mental problems, they fly back.

The biggest difficulty after a long stay in weightlessness is that astronauts lose muscle strength. “If, immediately after returning to Earth’s gravity, an astronaut can stand on his own for at least one minute, this is already good. The skin on the feet becomes thinner, the heels become like those of babies — it hurts to stand,” Rogozhnikov explained.

Soyuz MS-07 commander Anton Shkaplerov (center) after landing of the descent capsule

To reduce the rehabilitation time, the astronaut on the ISS must keep fit according to an individual program. The flight doctor monitors his condition, all health indicators are constantly recorded. Orbital training takes about two and a half hours a day. There are no strength exercises in them - only aerobic ones: if you build up muscle mass, you can not fit in a chair, and then it will be difficult to return to Earth.

Rehabilitation takes place in three stages. The first two or three weeks - the "acute stage" - the cosmonauts are in the TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin, after that they are entitled to several months of spa treatment with physiotherapy, hydromassage and other procedures, and then again to the CTC, so that, according to Rogozhnikov, they finally feel like earthly people. Doctors constantly take ECG, monitor pulse, pressure and other indicators. They also measure the degree of exposure, since the level of radiation in space is higher than on Earth. If the norm is exceeded, the astronaut will no longer fly, so as not to earn radiation sickness.

All three stages take about half a year. After that, the astronaut again gets to the main medical commission, which determines whether he is fit for flight or not. “The more flights a person makes, the better. Too much money is invested in the training of an astronaut to be limited to one flight,” Rogozhnikov added.