NASA Turns Down Year Long Stays in the Station

NASA has rejected a Russian proposal to lengthen missions on board the International Space Station up to a year. By extending the mission times, cash-starved Russia could enable more tourists to visit the station, and help cover its costs – without the shuttle, Russian has shouldered the burden of sending people to and from the station. NASA didn’t reject the concept outright, but said that this wasn’t the best time to extend the stay, giving the Russians room for further negotiations.