Senator Says Russia's Actions Could Hurt U.S. Space Program

An artist's impression of an Orion lunar mission craft in orbit around the moon.

From Space.com:

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he fears Russia's aggressive action against Georgia may have some serious consequences on the American space program.

If Russia fails to hold back military action in the former Soviet republic, it could hurt U.S. chances of accessing the International Space Station once NASA retires the space shuttles in 2010, the Democrat from Orlando said Tuesday.

The Russian Soyuz vehicle will be the only option available for NASA to send crew and cargo to the space station until the shuttle's replacement becomes available for manned missions in 2015. Nelson fears deteriorating U.S.-Russia politics may result in "Russia denying us rides or charging exorbitant amounts for them."

NASA's agreement to purchase rides on the Soyuz came about from a waiver Congress granted the agency from the Iran-Syria Non-Proliferation Act. The law prohibits the United States from buying space-related goods and services from Russia while that nation exports nuclear technology to Iran.

NASA's waiver from the ban expires in 2011. Nelson fears that recent developments between Russia and Georgia may make it hard for lawmakers to extend the exemption.

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More News On The U.S. / Russia Space Program

Senator: Georgia Fighting Could Shut Down U.S. Space Program -- FOX News
NASA pushes back new space program -- CNET
NASA Shifts Deadline for New Space Program -- New York Times
Russia, Georgia, and the ISS -- Space Politics
Experts: Reliance on Russia makes NASA weak -- CNN

My Comment: People who have been pushing for a global approach to the U.S. Space Program are now eating their "shorts". The U.S. Space Program will be completely reliant on the Russian Space Program in sending people to space from 2010 to 2015. It never dawned to anyone that maybe relations between Russia and the West could go south.

I am sure that many people in Nasa are now looking at alternatives, but due to budget limitations I doubt that anything will change. The U.S. Manned Space Program is now stuck for a minimum of 5 years.