Brigadier General Jean-Pierre Haignere, who spent 189 days on board the MIR space station last year, was awarded the Order of Courage. Claudie Andre-Deshays, who was a backup crew member, was awarded the Order of Friendship. She herself had taken part in a previous mission to MIR.
President Putin highly appreciated the French astronauts’ contribution to some important joint space projects.
See also
Visit to France. Russia-EU Summit
October 30 − November 1, 2000