Nasa is looking for private companies to run a taxi shuttle service to the International Space Station from American soil. The next manned mission, in March, will be the 39th shuttle to the station since it was launched in 2001.
But since the retirement of the USA’s own shuttle fleet in 2011, Nasa has been dependent on the Russians to take its astronauts up to the station – even through the Americans can still launch cargo flights. However the passenger service is not cheap and the Russians charge around $60 million (£37 million) per person for a seat on Soyuz.
Astronauts spend three to six months on the station, with six on board at any time – three Russians, two Americans and one from another country.
Charles Bolden, Nasa’s head, has been pushing the case for the US to regain the ability to send crew to the station from American soil.
Last year he warned congress that continuing spending cuts could leave America dependent on the Russians. It had been hoped that the US could develop a domestic capability by next year, but Congress halved the budget put forward for the programme by the Obama administration.
Last week he appeared to have won his battle when the White House announced the extension of the Space Station’s life until 2024.
"Launching American astronauts to the space station from US soil has also been a top priority of the Obama Administration, and we’re making great strides toward certifying private companies to transport our astronauts into orbit," the White House said.
"With the first commercial crew flight scheduled for 2017, some had questioned the value of a commercial crew investment that would have lasted only three years.