Des vols supplémentaires pour l'ESA vers l'ISS ?

09.07.2010 / 00:05 Russia and ESA are negotiating on additional flights of European astronauts to the ISS


European Space Agency ( ESA ) is a Roscosmos negotiating the purchase of additional seats for European astronauts on Russian Soyuz spacecraft that carry crews to the International Space Station ( ISS) .
' These negotiations are indeed " - told Interfax - AVN on Wednesday the head of the Permanent Mission of the ESA in Russia Rene Pieschel .
At the same time, R. Pieschel said that no information in what time frame will conclude the negotiations can take place and when such flights to the ISS .
Earlier the director of manned space flights of ESA Simonetta Di Pippo told foreign media that the agency is discussing a deal with Roscosmos of additional short-term space flights of European astronauts to the ISS since the 2013-2016 period. "We look at how to expand our current flight opportunities, and we are really discussing it with Roskosmos "- she said.
S. Di Pippo noted that the existing capacity for flights of Europeans at the station is currently not enough : it is approximately one half-year flight to the ISS in the year . Discussed with Roscosmos additional flights will most likely have a duration from one to three weeks , but the ESA may ask Russia and the longer missions - up to several months .
ESA and Roskosmos evaluate both options and to issue a technical report by September " - clarified S. Di Pippo .
Earlier, the head of manned programs Roscosmos Alexei Krasnov said that Roskosmos expects in the near future to finance the expansion of production of manned spacecraft "Soyuz " with four to five per year .

09.07.2010 / 00:05 Russia and ESA are negotiating on additional flights of European astronauts to the ISS