According to the Interfax news agency (an international network of news agencies based in Russia), and as part of a story by New Scientist magazine, Anatoly Perminov—head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, commonly called Roskosmos—said, “We were ready to cooperate, but for unknown reasons, the United States have said they will undertake this programme themselves.” [New Scientist]

U.S. space officials, including NASA personnel, believe the misunderstanding occurred when a recent negotiation between Russian and U.S. space leaders produced a one billion dollar contract for Russia to deliver U.S. cargo to the International Space Station. At that time, it was reported that Russian officials asked U.S. officials “informally” if they wanted help with their Moon mission.

However, NASA officials insist that no “formal” offer was ever presented to them about a joint lunar mission. Even if it was offered, it seems unlikely that the U.S. would accept. NASA maintains that it is developing Orion and Ares for the use of the United States only.

Some space experts are questioning this isolationist stance by NASA and the United States with respect to some space exploration missions—a policy that is directed by the U.S. federal government. NASA maintains that future cooperation with other countries, such as Russia, will increase the cost of flying to the Moon, Mars, or other such locations. However, NASA is still pursuing cooperation from other countries in other space ventures such as robotic moon missions, scientific satellites, and construction of various space facilities.

In support of NASA’s stance, Howard McCurdy, of American University in Washington, D.C., states, “NASA wants to keep the mission [its manned lunar project] simple. International cooperation increases mission complexity, which increases cost—usually more than the monetary contributions of the partners.” [New Scientist]

On the other side, George Abbey, NASA Johnson Space Center administration from the 1990s who is now associated with Rice University (Houston, Texas), says about these security concerns, “Certainly you want to protect those things that need to be protected, but I think you can work with those countries and still do that.” [New Scientist]

He adds, “If we’re going to the moon or Mars, trying to go ourselves is not realistic. I think the cost as well as other factors make it such that you need to work with other countries.” [New Scientist]

In any case, it seems that the United States is pursuing international cooperation when it is deemed cost effective and within the constrains of security, but will go it alone when the complexity of the project prohibits foreign members or when security concerns are too great.

NASA administrator Michael Griffin has announced that the first manned mission for the Orion spaceship and its Ares I booster will not be until, at the earliest, March 2015. Orion is part of NASA’s Project Constellation, a plan to send humans to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system.

Lockheed Martin is building the Orion capsules. The Ares I launch vehicle will use the basic design of the current Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters (SRBs), which are made by Thiokol. Instead of four segments, the Ares I rocket will contain one SRB with five segments. It will also contain an upper stage that will take the astronauts to the International Space Station, to the Moon, and other destinations.

The Ares V launch vehicle will be built to deliver unmanned cargo for missions to the Moon and to the International Space Station.

More information about NASA’s Project Constellation is found at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/index.html.

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