Science could be victim of ISS cargo pressure

By Rob Coppinger, Flight Global, Posted 06/10/09

Link: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/06/03/327223/science-could-be-victi...

"The International Space Station has reached a milestone with the 29 May arrival, via a Soyuz TMA-15 launch from Kazakhstan, of the second half of its first-ever six-strong crew. Doubling the orbiting outpost's complement has been hailed as a step change in the station's usefulness for conducting scientific research." "...enthusiasts for the station's scientific capabilities will be keeping a wary eye on logistics, because...the cargo supply schedule is challenging." "Launch and return of astronauts, their critical supplies and spare parts for the station must take priority, so scientific supplies and equipment - and particularly any biological experiments - will face limitations after the Space Shuttle's retirement next year. "Capacity is always going to be a challenge," says ESA acting ISS programme manager Bernardo Patti." The good news is that the commercial cargo transport may be booming, but R&D benefits and their commercialization may shrink.