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NASA has released a statement indicating that they are "suspending the majority" of "ongoing engagements with the Russian Federation". Cooperation will continue "to maintain safe and continuous operation of the International Space Station." They have taken this action citing violations Ukraine's sovereignty by Russia.
NASA apparently is focusing on regaining human spaceflight capabilities and ending dependence on Russia. The statement goes on to say: "The choice here is between fully funding the plan to bring space launches back to America or continuing to send millions of dollars to the Russians." According to time.com the "information initially came to light from a leaked memo".
This comes after a recent statement by Charles Bolden a NASA administrator indicating that relations with Russia were fine. There are currently Two Americans, Three Russians, and the Japanese Commander aboard the ISS Expedition 39.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Friday April 04 2014, @12:31AM
The ISS is an aging dinosaur anyway. Everything of value that the ISS can deliver was delivered in the building and design phase. And the US was the major benefactor of that knowledge.
There is little useful science being done on the ISS these days. Its a huge Kludge, waiting for a disaster to happen.
Russia is playing a waiting game, until the US formally abandons it. It will then be theirs.
About all that the ISS routinely gets from the US is the use of Communications networks. As soon as something breaks down NASA astronauts end up going outside to fix it.
Note: I'd feel the same about it if the Russians lost interest in it. It is an expensive budget sucking toy. Build it on the moon and I'll get interested again.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.