Russia to Stop Free Space Trips for U.S. Astronauts

Looks like the free ride is over on Russian ships fro US astronauts:I thought that the US payed a portion of these resupply flights, but maybe I am in error. Anybody know for sure?

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's cash-strapped space agency said on Tuesday it would stop giving U.S. astronauts free rides into orbit in the future.

Russia has single-handedly serviced the International Space Station, a $95 billion orbiting laboratory, for almost two years since the United States grounded its Shuttles after the fatal Columbia accident.

It has made no secret of the financial pinch it has felt from having to launch joint U.S.-Russian manned missions and cargo ships to the station, saying its space budget is a mere fraction of NASA's resources.

Ticket To Ride

Nope FredT.
Found this:

Anatoly Perminov said the no-cost agreement between NASA and Russia's space agency Roskosmos could be replaced by a barter arrangement, according to the Interfax news agency.

But then goes on to say:

NASA said it plans to resume its shuttle program in May.

The Russian agency has been looking to expand commercial ventures in recent years, amid dwindling government budgets for space-related research.

The agency is expected soon to sign a contract with the European Space Agency to send an Italian astronaut to the space station in April, along with a Russian cosmonaut and a NASA astronaut.

Russia To End Free Space Rides for US Astronauts





seekerof

Hey, I thought we where paying a long time ago?

Anyhow, we are just about done leaching off of them.
A bit too late wouldn't you say?

Sorry folks, already posted... Russia to charge for space trips