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The head of NASA said about the need of additional space shuttle flight in 2011. / November 24, 2010 /

The head of the American Space Agency (NASA), Charles Bolden said that in June 2011, may have to arrange additional shuttle flights to the ISS.

After the shuttle flights are completed, cargo and astronauts to orbit the spacecraft must deliver private companies. However, Bolden does not preclude, the first private spacecraft flight may be delayed. «We believe that they will not be able to launch the first ship in time, because that makes everything» — said Bolden.

Additional Space Shuttle mission will allow the U.S. to avoid disruptions in delivery to the ISS cargo and crew. As noted by Bolden, a NASA does not want to see the ISS crew would be reduced to three, if the delay in the commercial launch will not allow U.S. astronauts to go into orbit.

The closest shuttle flight to the ISS is scheduled for December 3. It was planned that the shuttle «Discovery» go into orbit the first of November, but its launch was postponed several times — first because of fuel leaks and bad weather, and then due to the discovery of cracks on the fuel tank.

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