Despite sanctions, Russia is getting a $457.9M check from NASA - Polidicks

[QUOTE] Despite ongoing sanctions, Russia is about to get a big infusion of cash from the U.S. government. NASA recently renewed a contract that allows Russia to ferry U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. The U.S. is, essentially, cutting Russia a $457.9 million check for its services -- six seats on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, training and launch prep, landing and crew rescue and limited cargo delivery to and from the International Space Station. This contract also adds additional support at the Russian launch site. NASA has announced it is cutting some contacts with Russia after the country annexed Crimea, including meetings and teleconferences. The move came after President Obama last month signed an executive order allowing restrictions on dealings with some of Russia's largest sectors, including financial services, energy and defense. The U.S. is currently considering additional sanctions against Russia. But some NASA initiatives just can't be stopped, underscoring the reliance the United States has on Russia for its space program. [/QUOTE] [url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/04/18/despite-sanctions-russia-is-getting-a-457-9m-check-from-nasa/[/url]

Well it would suck if we abandoned ISS just because of political quarrels. ISS should be one of the things that could remind people how petty all this nonsense is.

I think some things should be above politics and governments.

[QUOTE=mac338;44586511]I think some things should be above politics and governments.[/QUOTE] “It is important for scientists to be aware of what our discoveries mean, socially and politically. It’s a noble goal that science should be apolitical, acultural, and asocial, but it can’t be, because it’s done by people who are all those things.” – Mae Jemison

We shouldn't have outsourced our space flights to them :v:

[QUOTE=Foxton;44586529]“It is important for scientists to be aware of what our discoveries mean, socially and politically. It’s a noble goal that science should be apolitical, acultural, and asocial, but it can’t be, because it’s done by people who are all those things.” – Mae Jemison[/QUOTE] We truly are a bunch of grown children.

A deal's a deal, and $500m really isn't that much money when you're talking about (arguably) the two most powerful countries in the world.

What's the fucking point of these goddamn sanctions if companies don't listen to the governments? Car companies from Germany want to make new factories in Russia, Shell wants to make new energy investments in Russia, NASA gives them money now as-well. Might as well just say Fuck you to a russian diplomat, cause the sanctions won't do shit.

The ISS cooperation was never supposed to be affected by these "sanctions". So I don't really see the significance.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;44587033]The ISS cooperation was never supposed to be affected by these "sanctions". So I don't really see the significance.[/QUOTE] Sensationalism

Increase NASA's budget so they can do it themselves, it's the only way

more tanks please

[QUOTE=Swineflu;44586935]What's the fucking point of these goddamn sanctions if companies don't listen to the governments? Car companies from Germany want to make new factories in Russia, Shell wants to make new energy investments in Russia, NASA gives them money now as-well. Might as well just say Fuck you to a russian diplomat, cause the sanctions won't do shit.[/QUOTE] You can't compare what private companies are doing with what a government agency is doing though. Why should publicly traded companies with responsibilities towards shareholders and employees give a rats ass about governmental sanctions.

[QUOTE=mac338;44586511]I think some things should be above politics and governments.[/QUOTE] The ISS is well above the governments and politics underneath it

[QUOTE=frozensoda;44586831]A deal's a deal, and $500m really isn't that much money when you're talking about (arguably) the two most powerful countries in the world.[/QUOTE] $500m really isn't that much money when you are talking about space exploration in general.

[QUOTE=Foxton;44586529]“It is important for scientists to be aware of what our discoveries mean, socially and politically. It’s a noble goal that science should be apolitical, acultural, and asocial, but it can’t be, because it’s done by people who are all those things.” – Mae Jemison[/QUOTE] well what's the alternative here deny payment for an arranged contract and leave US astronauts sitting on the ISS till like 2017 or something? don't think that'll work out very well [editline]19th April 2014[/editline] this news article sounds as provocative as the one at the start of the whole crimea thing that was all "oh shit russia is test launching an icbm!!" when the test was arranged months in advance and there wasn't any real reason to cancel it

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;44586464]Well it would suck if we abandoned ISS just because of political quarrels. ISS should be one of the things that could remind people how petty all this nonsense is.[/QUOTE] technically speaking if a crew was stranded on the ISS, only the west has cheap resupply vehicles, the russians need to use an entire soyuz to deliver cargo so while we can't take crews home, the russians can't keep them stocked either

[QUOTE=Sableye;44589151]technically speaking if a crew was stranded on the ISS, only the west has cheap resupply vehicles, the russians need to use an entire soyuz to deliver cargo so while we can't take crews home, the russians can't keep them stocked either[/QUOTE] Uh no. Proton-M makes deliveries.

Russia resupplies with Progress cargo capsules. Which are launched on R-7 Soyuz rockets. [editline]19th April 2014[/editline] Russia also launches crew with Soyuz. [editline]19th April 2014[/editline] The United States launches cargo on either an Orbital Cygnus expendable cargo tank and Antares launcher or launch/recover cargo on a SpaceX Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 launcher. The US has no capacity to launch crew until 2016-2017 should NASA approve SpaceX Dragon Rider for launching its astronauts. [editline]19th April 2014[/editline] Russia s no capability to return cargo to earth except small loads with crew capsules that I'm aware of. Progress-M is expendable.

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;44586464]ISS should be one of the things that could remind people how petty all this nonsense is.[/QUOTE] Hey, i was thinking the exact same thing! [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/yOVesp1.jpg[/IMG]