US, Russian space agencies to share flights to ISS

The United States and Russian space agencies have signed a long-sought agreement to integrate flights to the International Space Station (ISS).
The agreement allows Russian cosmonauts to fly on US-made spacecraft in exchange for American astronauts to ride on Russia’s Soyuz.
In a statement on Friday, Roscosmos stated the deal with NASA “is in the interests of Russia and the US and will promote the development of cooperation within the framework of the ISS program.”
Roscosmos also stated the deal would facilitate the “exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes.”
NASA and Roscosmos, the two-decade-old space station’s core partners, have sought for years to renew routine integrated crewed flights as part of their longstanding civil alliance.