NASA Extends Contract With Russia's Federal Space Agency

April 9, 2007

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979
Lynnette Madison
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
CONTRACT RELEASE: C07-18

NASA EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH RUSSIA'S FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY

WASHINGTON - NASA has signed a $719 million modification to the
current International Space Station contract with Russia's Federal
Space Agency in Moscow for crew and cargo services through 2011.

The firm-fixed price extension covers crew rotations for 15 crew
members, six in 2009, six in 2010 and three in 2011, delivery and the
removal of 5.6 metric tons of cargo. U.S. Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services (COTS) are still planned to provide the bulk
of cargo transportation needs from 2010 and beyond to the space
station.

With the modification, NASA also is purchasing the capability for the
Russian Docking Cargo Module (DCM) to carry 1.4 metric tons of NASA
cargo to the space station. That module is scheduled to fly in 2010.
By adding the module, NASA will be able to fly outfitting hardware
for the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module on the DCM,
eliminating the need to fly a cargo carrier and some ballast on a
shuttle flight. NASA is obligated to deliver the Russian outfitting
hardware to the station under a 2006 addendum to the ISS Balance of
Contributions Agreement between NASA and the Russian Federal Space
Agency.

In addition, NASA is purchasing a flight opportunity to and from the
space station that will meet an obligation to the International
Partners. The flight will allow for an astronaut from the partners to
spend approximately six months aboard the space station. That flight
is planned for 2009.

Work in support of this contract is performed in Russia, Kazakhstan,
on board the International Space Station, at NASA's Johnson Space
Center in Houston and at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. For more
information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

-end-

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