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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 04 2014, @03:35AM
Talk about ignoring the elephant in the room.
You think Crimea would be safe from Ukraine if they did not immediately join Russia after declaring independence? After the current Ukraine leaders just staged a coup to take control of Ukraine?
OTOH, do you think all the people in those countries invaded by the US wouldn't be happy to join the US as the 51st state? So they became equals to other US citizens? Imagine the backlash all Iraqis, Lybians, etc can vote in the US Presidential election! It is the people in the US that don't want it!
You think living in a puppet state of the US is better than living in the 51st state?