The tensions between the United States and Russia aren't staying on Earth; they're also in space. The International Space Station is technically a joint-venture between the former Cold War enemies. But, with NASA's space shuttle program out of commission, the U.S. relies on Russia to get there. And now Russia has told our astronauts to go fuck themselves.
In response to U.S. sanctions Russia has said it will no longer take astronauts to the ISS. The country also won't sell NASA any more of the engines used by the Atlas V rocket. Fortunately, neither of these actions will have an effect for years.
NASA has launches scheduled until 2020, and those haven't been canceled. Also, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the two companies that built Atlas V, currently have a two year supply of engines. So although U.S. space travel depends on Russia, there is still time to make moves.
Those moves could potentially be a huge for SpaceX. Elon Musk's aerospace company already received an injunction against Lockheed Martin and Boeing and is one step closer to competing for military launch contracts. Even if that doesn't work out, SpaceX will certainly make a bid to take astronauts to the ISS.
Falling out with Russia might be the best thing to happen to SpaceX.
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[via Mashable]
