Soyus, Commercial crew

Are Russia's Recent Space Woes a Sign of Larger Problems?
 
Clara Moskowitz - Space.com
 
A string of high-profile failures in Russia's space program recently has left NASA hoping its space partner can get back on track soon. But some in the space industry are wondering if the issues are simple bad luck, or represent a deeper problem. Most recently, faulty test procedures damaged the next manned Russian Soyuz space capsule, rendering it unfit to fly, and forcing NASA and Russia to delay the next crew launch to the International Space Station until a new capsule is ready. NASA announced Feb. 2 that the flight would be pushed back by more than a month, until no earlier than May 15, while engineers investigate the problem and process the next capsule in line.
 
Commercial Crew Push Has Some Concerned
 
Mark Carreau - Aviation Week
 
President Obama’s proposed 2013 NASA budget of $17.771 billion, just $59 million below this year’s spending plan, has many at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston relieved they were spared deep cuts. Yet there is a simmering concern of an imbalance between investments in commercial crew systems intended to ferry astronauts to low Earth orbit and the agency’s own Orion/Space Launch System for future deep-space destinations. The concern is based on the $830 million NASA is seeking in 2013 to foster the development of commercial crew transportation services for the International Space Station.
 
In NASA budget, space exploration & commercial crew compete for funding
 
Mark Whittington - Yahoo News
 
While most attention is being focused at the Obama administration's proposal to slash funding for Mars exploration, another political battle is brewing concerning space exploration and the commercial crew program.
 
NASA commercial crew official warns another deep cut could kill the program
 
Irene Klotz - Space News
 
If Congress halves President Barack Obama’s 2013 budget request for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program like it did last year, it may not be worth pursuing the program since the vehicles might not be ready in time to support the international space station, Phil McAlister, director of commercial spaceflight development at NASA headquarters, said Feb. 14 at an industry briefing here. The United States has committed to funding the space station through 2020. While NASA hopes that commitment will be extended, there is no guarantee. NASA requested $850 million for its Commercial Crew Program for 2012 but Congress approved only $406 million, prompting NASA to overhaul its acquisition strategy for an effort aiming to fund initial development of at least two privately owned crew taxis.
 
NASA