WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, June 11, at 2:00 P.M, the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee will examine the benefits and risks of U.S.-Russian cooperation on space programs.  U.S. human spaceflight is completely reliant on the Russian Soyuz and Progress space vehicles for all crew transport and rescue as well as cargo delivery to the Space Station while the Space Shuttle fleet is grounded.  Even when the Space Shuttle fleet returns to flight, U.S. human spaceflight will still rely on the Russian Soyuz vehicle for Space Station crew rescue.  Several NASA reports call into question the inability of the Russian Space Agency to support the Space Station over the next several years without additional funding.

Members will also examine Section 6 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act (INA) of 2000, which prevents the U.S. Government from providing payments to the Russian Government and Space Agency, in connection with the Space Station.  U.S. industry has raised questions about whether the INA forbids U.S. contractors from entering into relationships with Russian contractors on Space Station work.

For additional background information, please contact Heidi Tringe or Jeff Donald at 202-225-4275.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS – Hearing

U.S. – Russian Cooperation in Space

WHEN:   2:00 – 4:00 P.M.

WHERE:  2318 Rayburn House Office Building (WEBCAST)

Witness List:

  • Ambassador Steve Pifer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, State Department
  • Mr. John Schumacher, NASA Assistant Administrator for External Relations
  • Mr. Robert M. Davis, President and CEO of the California Space Authority
  • Mr. Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center