NASA has just announced a $141 million modification to the current International Space Station (ISS) contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency (RFSA). This new contract will enable NASA to bridge the shuttle-less gap, which will occur between 2010 and 2012, when the current space shuttles are phased out and new space vehicles will become available. NASA is scheduled to launch two Soyuz vehicles in the fall of 2011, which will land in the spring of 2012. The cargo allowed per person is approximately 110 pounds launched to the station, 37 pounds returned to Earth and trash disposal of 66 pounds.

As for the space shuttle Endeavour, which landed in California because of harsh weather conditions in Florida, it will be taken there with a modified Boeing 747 as early as Sunday. The shuttle will be mounted on the back of the 747 and the whole trip will cost NASA about $1.8 million. However, the exact date and time of the departure have yet to be determined because of changing weather conditions and the fluid nature of preparing Endeavour for this ferry flight. In its 16-day mission to the ISS, the shuttle helped the station get prepared in order to receive six crew members by next year.

After this goal will be completed, NASA will start planning the launch for the STS-119 mission of the Discovery space shuttle. This is scheduled to launch on February the 12th and its main objective is to power a portion of the station that supports external gear and spare parts. Commander Lee Archambault will command the 14-day flight, which is likely to include four spacewalks. Along with him, we can find pilot Tony Antonelli, mission specialists John Philips, Steve Swanson, Joseph Acaba, Richard Arnold and Koichi Wakata.