NASA chief warns that U.S. may end participation on Russian space flights

[Judi Lynn]

NASA chief warns that U.S. may end participation on Russian space flights

By Mike Eckel
ASSOCIATED PRESS

8:22 a.m. September 30, 2005

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan – NASA's top official said Friday that the future of U.S participation in Russian space flights is in doubt due to a congressional measure that aims to punish Moscow for its cooperation with Iran.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin told reporters near the Baikonur cosmodrome that "an acceptable financial agreement" could be reached in response to Kremlin demands that the United States pay for its participation in future Russian flights.

But Griffin said the chief obstacle that could end "a continuous American presence on the ISS (international space station)" was the 2000 Iran Nonproliferation Act, which penalizes countries that sell unconventional weapons and missile technology to Iran.

Since the 2003 Columbia disaster, Russia's Soyuz and Progress spacecraft have served as the workhorses of the joint space projects, ferrying crews and cargo to the space station and serving as its lifeline. Discovery visited the station in July, but problems with the foam insulation on its external fuel tank have cast doubt on when the shuttle will fly again. The shuttle can carry vastly greater loads and crews than the Russian spacecraft.
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20050930-0822-russia-us-space.html

[LifeDuringWartime]

1. s-t-u-p-i-d

eom

[bemildred]

2. Don't we still have some guys up there in orbit? nt

[Psephos]

3. Remove pistol from holster, point barrel at foot, then pull trigger nt

[tatertop]

4. Is their any benefit in continuing manned space flight?

[TomPainesBones]

8. The GOP doesn't think so

Before asking that question one should look at the benefits the space program continues to give us all.

http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#chr

[CottonBear]

10. Well, there's the benefit of having a way to get to the space station

Our shuttle fleet is grounded and we have no rockets/capsules for manned space flight.
:( Damn, we're in a tight spot.

[GOPAgainstGW]

5. NASA Is Nothing But a Tom DeLay Pork Barrel Fiasco-eom

[DBoon]

6. If national security restrictions made nations rich and powerful

We'd all be speaking Albanian

[Tempest]

7. Another reason for Russia to join forces with China's space program

Just what we need.

NOT!

[daleo]

9. Neo-cons don't want cooperation in space anyway

It interferes with their plans to totally militarize space.

[DS1]

11. This will come back and bite us, and the most plausible way I see

it happening is a 100 million dollar tomb floating in space, full of dead astronauts.

[datadiva]

12. It's understandable

It's science ya know? :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[RaleighNCDUer]

13. "In light of your obstinance, I'm going to punish you" --

(cuts off own nose)

"What do you say to that!? ... Oh , yeah? Well take this!"

(cuts off own left hand)

"Had enough yet?"

[macllyr]

14. Ariane/ATV will replace Soyouz/Progress next year

ESA Automated Transfer Vehicule

Launched by Ariane V heavy-lift rocket (>20 Tonnes in low orbit)

www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEMCF6W4QWD_0.html

"When the ATV comes into service next year it will act as a supply ship for the International Space Station, carrying up to nine tonnes of provisions, scientific payloads and propellant. The ATV will further be used to reboost the ISS to a higher orbiting altitude and remove waste and material that is no longer needed from the Station at the end of its mission when it leaves the Station and takes a planned self-destructive journey into Earth’s atmosphere.

The first ATV called Jules Verne is currently at ESA's test centre in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, where it is undergoing the final test campaign before being shipped to the European launch site at Kourou in French Guiana for its launch in 2006 on an Ariane 5 launcher"

Also, in 2007, soyouz human-rated rockets will be launched from Kourou in French Guiana.

www.spaceref.ca/news/viewsr.html?pid=12997

Mac L'lyr

[hunter]

15. This minute we are dancing with the floor.

Next minute we will be choking in our own vomit.

This nation has had a few too many cheap tequila shooters.