Russia's space chief taken to hospital Russia's space chief taken to hospital - Space Russia's space chief taken to hospital due to 'exhaustion' Agency confirms that Vladimir Popovkin is being treated, but doesn't elaborate MOSCOW - Russia's space agency says its chief, Vladimir Popovkin, has been hospitalized. Roscosmos spokesman Alexei Kuznetsov on Sunday confirmed the hospitalization but would not elaborate. Russian news agencies earlier quoted the Roscosmos press office as saying that Popovkin had been taken to hospital with "physical and emotional exhaustion." The 54-year-old Popovkin had been leading the Russian space agency since April. A Russian tabloid, Life News on Sunday, posted a photo of Popovkin with his head bandaged, and quoted sources as saying that the space chief had been drunk when taken to hospital. NASA helps announce 'Angry Birds Space' (01:18) Kathie Lee, Hoda get ready to spring ahead (11:04) A Russian spring or long winter for anti-Putin protesters? More videos in Space Related slideshow Wonders that are out of this world