Heads of Agency International Space Station Joint Statement

Jan. 23, 2007

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979

RELEASE: 07-013

HEADS OF AGENCY INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION JOINT STATEMENT

PARIS - The heads of the International Space Station partners, space
agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States,
met at European Space Agency Headquarters in Paris, France, on
January 23, 2007, to review ISS cooperation.

In their discussions, the Heads of Agency noted the significant
accomplishments of the partnership in implementing the space station
configuration and assembly sequence endorsed at their last meeting in
March 2006. Among the milestones acknowledged by the Heads of Agency
were reestablishment of three-person ISS crew and re-initiation of
station assembly activities; three extremely challenging Space
Shuttle missions with outstanding extravehicular accomplishments by
American, Russian, Canadian and European astronauts; continued
exceptional performance of the Canadarm2 including, on-orbit
operation by a Canadian astronaut; and the uninterrupted flow of
Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles that provided essential crew and
cargo delivery and return. Successful completion of these assembly
activities has paved the way for the planned arrival of Node 2
followed by two new laboratories, the European Space Agency Columbus
module and the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo, as well as the
Canadian two-armed Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator Dextre
within a year.

The Heads of Agency reviewed the status of current ISS development,
configuration and operations activities across the partnership.
Transportation capabilities, including the European Space Agency
Automated Transfer Vehicle, the Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle, the
Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles, the U.S. Space Shuttle,
Commercial Orbital Transportation and Crew Exploration Vehicle were
discussed. Also the timely achievement of a six person crew and
completion of space station assembly were reviewed.

The Heads of Agency expressed their continued appreciation for the
outstanding work by on-orbit crews and ground support personnel to
bring the space station to its full productive capacity. They
acknowledged the strength of the partnership that characterizes the
ISS and the importance of international cooperation in achieving
mutual objectives in the exploration and utilization of space.

For more information about the International Space Station, visit the
Internet at:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

-end-

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