NASA's partners in the International Space Station (ISS) have criticised the US decision to cut flights, crew numbers and science operations. The European Space Agency (ESA), Canada and Japan called the situation "unacceptable" and accused NASA of breaking its word. Last month ESA member states withheld 60% of its ISS funding until NASA makes its position clear, and ESA is threatening to quit the ISS altogether after its Columbus science module was delayed to 2006. Reducing station crew to three will mean only 100min of research a week for ESA and 30min for Canada. Japan also plans to renegotiate its ISS commitment.
Source: Flight International
