NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Russian Launchers - Soyuz, Progress and Uncrewed => Topic started by: AndyMc on 01/09/2006 08:56 pm
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Quote
"The European Space Agency (ESA) is to enter into further talks on collaboration on the proposed six-crew reusable Russian spacecraft Kliper by March, with the aim of reaching an agreement by June."
http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2006/01/10/Navigation/177/203942/ESA+keen+to+reach+Kliper+agreement+with+Russia.html
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Here's the key statement: "At ESA’s ministerial conference late last year only €8 million ($9.4 million) of the €30 million necessary to start collaborative studies was raised. "
The 30mil euros out of which they only raised 8mil was for a study of how ESA could benefit from the Klipper. I.e. some paper pushing. Even if the full 30mil euro could be allocated it'd still only buy a commemorative plaque on the craft (the entire program is estimated at over $1 bil + the launch vehicle) plus complicate the project enormously even befor an inch of spacefaring metal is bent. I still say the Russians would be better off doing it on their own (if they can afford it, and I think they can, but Prez Putin needs to be sold on it, and whether Mr. Perminov can do it, is another question...)