Meanwhile, NASA approved the extension of the agreement with Roscosmos on cross-flights to the International Space Station.
Joshua Finch, a representative of the US space agency, stated this to TASS.
"In order to ensure the continued safe operation of the International Space Station, protect the lives of astronauts and maintain the US presence in space, NASA and the Russian corporation Roscos have agreed to continue cross-flights of American manned spacecraft and Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Cross flights ensure the presence on station of crews properly trained to perform the American maintenance work, as well as a specialist for critical maintenance needs.