Soyuz TMA-11 is launched from Baikonur spaceport of Kazakhstan.
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev
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NASA Extended Contract with Roskosmos
Russia’s Federal Space Agency Roskosmos and the U.S. NASA have inked a modification to the current International Space Station contract for the pre-flight training of the U.S. crew members and the transportation services in 2011 and 2012, according to official webs of Roskosmos and NASA.
Under the contract, two spaceships will be launched in late 2011, delivering, amid other things, the materials and equipment. Soyuz vehicles will return to Earth in the spring of 2012, carrying some crew members and the trash disposal from the ISS.
The cost of two flights stands at $141 million. It covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, crew rescue, and landing of a long-duration mission for the station crew members.
NASA plans to abandon Shuttles in 2010, but it will be able to shift to Orions no sooner than in 2014. In the intervening years, Russia’s Soyuz will deliver the crew and the cargo to and from the ISS. NASA may use Soyuz flights for meeting its obligations to the international partners related to the ISS.
www.kommersant.com
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