Ends Dispute Over Russian Costs To Keep Station Supplied

There are reports out of Russia that Roskosmos -- the Russian Federal Space Agency -- has signed a commercial contract with NASA on financing the transportation of US astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station aboard Russian Soyuz and Progress space capsules.

“We have dropped barter deals and directed or cooperation to a financial basis,” Perminov said in a Tuesday press conference, according to Itar-Tass.

According to the report, under the agreement one seat aboard each Soyuz capsule heading to the ISS would be reserved for an American astronaut. Even if the shuttle doesn't fly again until May of 2006 -- or later -- America would still be able to maintain its presence aboard the ISS.

“We are hoping to reach a comprehensive agreement on the ISS with NASA for a period until the year 2011 in the first half of 2006," Perminov said.

When it comes to fruition -- and Perminov stated all parties have already signed -- the agreement would resolve a dispute between the American and Russian space agencies since the space shuttle program was grounded in the aftermath of the Columbia tragedy. With the shuttles on the ground, the cash-strapped Russian space program has borne the entire burden of ferrying astronauts and materials to the ISS -- and the Russians have been screaming long and loud about the cost, which they've had to shoulder alone.

The Roskosmos chief now paints a far rosier picture of the relationship between his agency and NASA. "We have settled all problems with NASA as regards the number of planned shuttle launchings to the ISS," said Perminov, "and further cooperation in this field with five countries."

"We have also reached an agreement on deliveries of cargoes to the ISS and their removal by Russian spaceships for pay," Perminov added, evidently meaning NASA would pick up their share of the cost for replenishment flights by Progress cargo ships, which are essentially hollowed-out Soyuz capsules.

Perminov declined to specify just how much the program will cost NASA, stating only, "we have our commercial secrets as well".

“We are hoping to reach a comprehensive agreement on the ISS with NASA for a period until the year 2011 in the first half of 2006," Perminov said.

FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.federalspace.ru (In Russian)