Russia plans to hike its charges for ferrying American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

European Space Agency Astronaut Nespoli and NASA astronaut Coleman, International Space Station (ISS) crew members, wave after putting on space suits at Baikonur cosmodrome

NASA taking a decision to shelve the space shuttle program, Russia wants to exploit the situation and plans to hike its charges for ferrying American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Russians have quoted a figure of 470.6 million pounds sterling for 12 astronauts over a 2-year period from 2014 to 2016. The cost would include ferrying the astronauts to and fro, training and rescue service, if needed. NASA is at present spending nearly 30 million pounds sterling on each astronaut and the Russian’s would be charging 40 million pounds sterling. The space shuttle program of NASA would close down in 2011 and they do not have any option but to sign on the dotted line.

It seems the Russians are planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s space flight next year and want to build up funds. As a Russian has commented – they could have asked for more and the Americans would have paid but they did not want to spoil the good relation between the two nations.