This will avoid the need to extend the operation of the space shuttles, which is expected to end in May 2010, and free up a budget for progress in the Constellation project - the main one - back to the moon. In Congress it is proposed not to allow American participation in the launches of the cargo spaceships Progress
The US Congress on its two houses - the Senate and the House of Representatives - is about to approve a request that will allow NASA to continue to purchase Russian space vehicles for the International Space Station beyond 2011, as part of an exception to the regulation that prohibits US government agencies from paying money to Russia because this country does not allow practical measures to be taken against the Iranian nuclear program.
The validity of the extension is until July 1, 2016. As it appears at the moment, the American legislators are inclined to approve NASA's use of manned Soyuz spacecraft and prohibit it from paying for the launches of Progress model supply spacecraft beyond 2011.
As I recall, NASA recently threatened that if the exemption is not extended, they may demand it Extension of ferry operations until 2015 to allow the agency access to the International Space Station.
Meanwhile, the Senate approved the NASA budget for 2009, amounting to 20.2 billion dollars. In the decision accompanying the approval new conditions for the NASA plan to retire the shuttles. If the decision is also approved by Congress, NASA will be required not to make any decision related to shutting down the shuttles before April 30, 2009. The budget includes an allocation of one billion dollars to accelerate the development of the manned spacecraft (Orion) and the Ares 1 rocket, and 100 million dollars for the development and demonstration of a passenger spacecraft commercial.
