Article Posted on : - Apr 07, 2010

Soyuz spacecraft

WASHINGTON (BNS): NASA has signed a $ 335 million deal with Russian Federal Agency Roscosmos, for transporting crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

The new contract is the modification of an earlier contract, for the crew transportation, rescue and related services in 2013 and 2014.

Space station crew members will launch on four Soyuz vehicles in 2013 and return on two vehicles in 2013 and two in 2014, NASA said in a news release.

"The firm-fixed price modification covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, crew rescue, and landing of a long-duration mission for six individual station crew members," the release said.

Under the contract modification, the Soyuz flights will carry limited cargo associated with crew transportation to and from the station, and disposal of trash.

NASA will scrap its Discovery shuttle launches in late September this year.