Just in from our Russian writer with RIA - claiming he has quotes from Russian officials that NASA is in talks with them in regards to a reduction in ISS requirements and STS to end in 2008/09 - staggered retirement of the fleet.
More later.
I hope this means a concentration on reducing the CEV down a few years to an earlier start date. Also, OMMs. We won't be running three orbiters all the way through to 2010 as it was.
I think we need to try and read between the lines - given Griffin has made those comments that contradict the Russians in bascic form of what they say here.
The only thing of interest that works is Griffin saying the SDLV could finish the ISS construction - and that's what needs a look at.
Maybe the Russians have learnt the power of making comments that pressure the US to change their trade laws on the Soyuz?
FransonUK - 31/8/2005 10:53 AM
Maybe the Russians have learnt the power of making comments that pressure the US to change their trade laws on the Soyuz?
Are we saying here that NASA may use the Soyuz as a temp measure before the next gen of US manned spacecraft?
That would only make sense if we're aiming to ensure a US presense on the ISS.
Sergi will have a story on this later today.