Russia's space chief warns time running out to fund construction of new spacecraft

Doglips · 03-03-2003, 05:47 PM

Nothing like friends helping out the USA

Russia's space chief warns time running out to fund construction of new spacecraft

Associated Press

MOSCOW - Russia's space chief warned today that time is running out for Washington to finance construction of extra Russian spacecraft needed to run the International Space Station during a break in U.S. shuttle flights.

"The problem has be resolved within a month," Russian Aerospace Agency director Yuri Koptev said during a seminar with Italian government officials and aerospace executives in Moscow.

Koptev said Russia is ready to build extra spacecraft, but needs additional funding from U.S. and other partners in the 16-nation space station project. He said if an agreement isn't reached soon, new ships won't be ready in time.

"We can build a ship in a minimum of one and a half years. We could maybe squeeze it into 14 months, but anything shorter is impossible," he said.

Russian Soyuz capsules and Progress cargo ships remain the only link to the space station following the Columbia shuttle disaster and the suspension of U.S. shuttle flights pending an investigation.

But NASA says potential funding is constrained by U.S. legislation barring additional payments to Russia's space agency unless the United States confirms Russia has not transferred missile technology or nuclear, chemical or biological weapons to Iran in the previous year.

Koptev acknowledged "political limitations" on the U.S. side but expressed hope that the issue would eventually be resolved and said it was being discussed on the "presidential level."

Russia has budgeted $130 million to fulfill its obligation to send two Soyuz and three Progress ships to the station this year. But it needs additional funds to finish construction of extra Soyuz capsules and Progress ships needed because of the break in shuttle flights.

"If we are going to make additional flights, one ship this year, two ships next year and even three, which is being discussed, this demands more resources from our partners," Koptev said.

Meanwhile, Russia's Aerospace Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian aerospace companies tonday outlining cooperation in space research and exploration, including a space navigation system under the Galileo project, the Interfax and ITAR-Tass news agencies reported.

thewalkindude · 03-03-2003, 09:08 PM

IMO, Russia derserves a lot more respect than it gets and im hoping that their financial and political situation gets better

Big Dog · 03-04-2003, 07:54 AM

Too bad the Russian Shuttle got scuttled - would have been another option. If ours are going to be grounded for a lengthy time, then yeah - get the Russkies going. Rather pay them for some more ships than waste billions on Africa and the middle east.

03-03-2003, 05:47 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,089	Russia's space chief warns time running out to fund construction of new spacecraft Nothing like friends helping out the USA Russia's space chief warns time running out to fund construction of new spacecraft Associated Press MOSCOW - Russia's space chief warned today that time is running out for Washington to finance construction of extra Russian spacecraft needed to run the International Space Station during a break in U.S. shuttle flights. "The problem has be resolved within a month," Russian Aerospace Agency director Yuri Koptev said during a seminar with Italian government officials and aerospace executives in Moscow. Koptev said Russia is ready to build extra spacecraft, but needs additional funding from U.S. and other partners in the 16-nation space station project. He said if an agreement isn't reached soon, new ships won't be ready in time. "We can build a ship in a minimum of one and a half years. We could maybe squeeze it into 14 months, but anything shorter is impossible," he said. Russian Soyuz capsules and Progress cargo ships remain the only link to the space station following the Columbia shuttle disaster and the suspension of U.S. shuttle flights pending an investigation. But NASA says potential funding is constrained by U.S. legislation barring additional payments to Russia's space agency unless the United States confirms Russia has not transferred missile technology or nuclear, chemical or biological weapons to Iran in the previous year. Koptev acknowledged "political limitations" on the U.S. side but expressed hope that the issue would eventually be resolved and said it was being discussed on the "presidential level." Russia has budgeted $130 million to fulfill its obligation to send two Soyuz and three Progress ships to the station this year. But it needs additional funds to finish construction of extra Soyuz capsules and Progress ships needed because of the break in shuttle flights. "If we are going to make additional flights, one ship this year, two ships next year and even three, which is being discussed, this demands more resources from our partners," Koptev said. Meanwhile, Russia's Aerospace Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian aerospace companies tonday outlining cooperation in space research and exploration, including a space navigation system under the Galileo project, the Interfax and ITAR-Tass news agencies reported.

03-03-2003, 09:08 PM	#2
thewalkindude Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Yarmouth, NS, Canada Posts: 127	IMO, Russia derserves a lot more respect than it gets and im hoping that their financial and political situation gets better __________________ Did you exchange, A walk on part in the war, For a lead role in a cage, -Pink Floyd

03-04-2003, 07:54 AM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,213	Too bad the Russian Shuttle got scuttled - would have been another option. If ours are going to be grounded for a lengthy time, then yeah - get the Russkies going. Rather pay them for some more ships than waste billions on Africa and the middle east. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.