The heads of space agencies from the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe
and Canada met in Montreal today to review and further advance International
Space Station (ISS) cooperation.

At this meeting, the Heads of Agency (HOA) reviewed the status of ongoing ISS
operations and NASA’s plans for Space Shuttle return to flight. The HOA endorsed
the Multilateral Coordination Board approved ISS configuration. The partners
reaffirmed their agencies’ commitment to meet their ISS obligations; to complete
Station assembly by the end of the decade; and to use and further evolve the ISS
in a manner that meets their research and exploration objectives.

The Partners discussed and agreed on plans for continued support of the ISS,
consistent with planned Station research and use. Of particular interest to the
Partners is increased use of the Space Station and early opportunities for an
enhanced crew of greater than three after the Space Shuttle returns to flight.

Space Station transportation needs will be met by a mix of support vehicles from
across the Partnership. Planning includes support by Russian Soyuz spacecraft;
the U.S. Space Shuttle; the automated logistics re-supply capabilities provided
by Russian Progress vehicles; the ATV and HTV spacecraft to be provided by Europe
and Japan respectively; as well as the capabilities from potential future
commercial providers.

The Heads of Agency agreed to meet again in fall 2005 to review progress on
planned ISS activities. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue the
unprecedented international cooperation that has characterized the International
Space Station Program to date. This cooperation has enabled the Partnership to
safely maintain human presence on-orbit and keep the International Space Station
in a productive state of operations and use, including the continued use of
Canadarm2, during the hiatus in Space Shuttle flights.

The ISS Heads of Agency expressed their appreciation for the outstanding work
being conducted by the Space Station on-orbit crews. They also confirmed their
readiness to proceed with Space Station assembly, when the Space Shuttle returns
to flight during the May-June 2005 timeframe.

For information about NASA, the International Space Station, Space Shuttle Return
to Flight, and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov