Russian space agency outlines new plans and procedures for 2005
The Russian space agency Roskosmos has announced plans to charge for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), and to encourage private companies to plan sub-orbital flights to the lower limit of outer space. Head of Roskosmos Anatoly Perminov has said that Russia will ferry US astronauts to the ISS on a 'commercial basis' from 2006. Russia alone has serviced the ISS since US shuttles were grounded in 2003. In 2004 the country provided two manned and five cargo spaceships. Mr Perminov will discuss the agency's plans with counterparts in the US early in 2005. His visit will also be aimed at assessing whether the US will be ready to resume shuttle flights in May, as originally foreseen. Roskosmos is also planning to encourage private space flights for the purpose of research. 'Several Russian companies that are ready to organise this kind of flight have approached Roskosmos with a series of relevant proposals, and we are going to support them in every possible way,' Mr Perminov told a press briefing. The new year will also see the upgrading of Russia's main launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. 'Russia and Kazakhstan have decided to build a new launching site, Baiterek, together, for new Angara boosters,' said Mr Perminov. 'The thorough modernisation of the launching complex for Zenit boosters is also in plan,' he added.
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