The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station.
NASA pays Russia for space flights
6 Dec 2008
NASA has signed a US$141 million modification to the current International Space Station contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency for crew transportation services planned through the spring of 2012.
The fixed price extension covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, crew rescue, and landing of a long-duration mission for three station crewmembers. The crewmembers will launch on two Soyuz vehicles in early 2011, and will land in late 2012. The flights might be used to meet NASA's obligations to its international partners for transportation to and from the Station.
NASA is due to retire the space shuttle fleet in 2010. Its follow-on crewed spacecraft, Orion, will not be available until some years after that. During that gap period, the US will be reliant on the Russian Soyuz to get its crews into space.
The contract extension also provides for the two Soyuz flights to carry limited cargo to and from the station and dispose of waste. The cargo allowed per person is approximately 50 kilograms launched to the station, approximately 17 kilograms returned to Earth, and waste disposal of approximately 30 kilograms.
Adapted from information issued by NASA.
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