Europeans hope to buy Soyuz spacecraft
Published 29 August, 2009, 03:00
Edited 24 January, 2010, 09:49
The European Space Agency seeks to buy a Russian Soyuz rocket as European astronauts make their way into orbit. Europe has asked Russia to increase the number of spacecrafts they produce from four to five per year.
The Europeans hope to buy their own vehicle, perhaps with the Canadians who are also considering participating in the deal.
The prospects of the possible agreement were discussed at the International Aviation and Space Salon, MAKS 2009 last week.
With the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle program in sight, Russian craft might soon be the only way of getting to the International Space Station.
The station is likely to gain one extra ‘room’ as Europe plans to begin sending its astronauts to space from 2013 and onwards.
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