New Russian + Others? Shuttle

The Russian Government has asked Japan if it would like to be involved in a joint venture for a new shuttle program to rival the US fleet. The European Space Agency is also considering taking part in the project. The shuttle project, the Kliper, is to be a successor to the Soyuz spacecraft.

This craft is able to ferry six astronuts with a range of about ten days.

Japan is thinking through the propsal and will decide on it's participation by the end of the year.

Russia estimates that the total cost to Japan would be $870 million.

In contrast, the US has stated that plans are in effect to retire the shuttle program in 2010. NASA has also released plans to return to the moon by 2018 in a vehicle designed to replace the shuttle.