Grammatical/Phraseological Query

[VANCHU, ANTHONY J. (JSC-AH)]

The Russian equivalent for "Astronaut Candidate" has me a bit puzzled as to
its underlying grammar/phraseology, and I'm hoping someone out there might
have an answer as to why this construction is used and why it is considered
grammatically correct.

The phrase is:  "kandidat v astronavty."  What's puzzling, of course, is the
nominative plural ending on "astronavty."  I suspect it has to do with this
being an elliptical construction, but I've not been able to find out the
missing elements might be.  I suspect that there are other, non-space
related, analogies and would be grateful for whatever light my fellow
SEELANGers can shed on this.

Please reply off list.

Thanks in advance,

Tony Vanchu

Dr. Anthony J. Vanchu
Russian Language Program Director
TTI/JSC Language Education Center
Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX
(281) 483-0644

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