NASA Is In Need Of Russian Rockets Until 2019

NASA, which has not been able to carry astronauts with its own rockets to the International Space Station since 2011, will apparently be in need of Russian space vehicles for a while.

NASA, the world’s biggest name in the space research area, has not been able to send its astronauts out since the space shuttle program was canceled in 2011. For this reason, NASA is in need of Russia’s Soyuz rocket and Soyuz space capsule since 2011. At the same time, NASA pays $81 million to Russia for each astronaut. ¹ ² ³

The solution to this problem, which has led to great debates within the country, is now left to completely privately held companies. NASA, which does not have plans to develop a new rocket or space capsule in this area, instead, made contracts with SpaceX and Boeing to carry astronauts to its Space Station.

According to a new report released by the US Court of Auditors (GAO) in late January, the two companies are not likely to be flying astronauts to Space Station before 2019, according to NASA. Boeing and SpaceX say that NASA must first obtain a certificate that spacecraft meets the criteria required for human carrying missions, and both companies say they are far from meeting these criteria at the moment.

GAO, U.S. Government Accountability Office, also warns NASA. Reminds that the agreement between the United States of America and Russia ends in 2019, State officials say that NASA should develop a backup plan for the “possible obstacles” and buy extra seats from Russia.

SpaceX and Boeing, on the other hand, have not yet responded to this report published by GAO.