Manned Mission Will Fly To ISS In Fall 2011

NASA will continue its reliance on Russian spacecraft for transport to the International Space Station. The agency recently signed a $141 million modification to the current ISS contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency for crew transportation services planned through the spring of 2012.

The firm-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 crew members.

The crew members will launch on two Soyuz vehicles in the fall of 2011. They will land in the spring of 2012. The flights may be used to meet NASA's obligations to its international partners for transportation to and from the station.

The contract extension also provides for the two Soyuz flights to carry limited cargo to and from the station and dispose of trash. The cargo allowed per person is approximately 110 pounds launched to the station, approximately 37 pounds returned to Earth, and trash disposal of approximately 66 pounds.

NASA will rely solely on Russian spacecraft for transport to-and-from the ISS once the space shuttle fleet is retired in September 2010, until its next-generation Orion manned spacecraft is ready sometime in 2015.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/