Anyone surprised?

Seriously, how did anyone not see this coming?  Read the original article here.



Russia Hikes Price of Rocket Rides for U.S. Astronauts to $63 Million


NASA[1], already committed to paying Russia[2] millions of dollars to hitch rides into space, had some expensive news to announce Monday: Russia plan to start charging even more.


With the United States phasing out the shuttle program, the new way for U.S. astronauts to get to the International Space Station[3] will be to catch a ride with the Russians, and NASA's existing contract for that transport priced each rocket ride at just under $56 million.


Now, Russia is hiking the price for each rocket ride to nearly $63 million in 2014. The contract extension with the Russian Space Agency totals $753 million, which covers trips for a dozen astronauts from 2014 through 2016.


Why such a price hike? NASA officials chalk it up to inflation.


NASA chief Charles Bolden[4] says it's critical for U.S. companies[5] to take over this transportation job. The space shuttles used to do that job are being retired this summer.


The Associated Press contributed to this report.


References


^ NASA (www.foxnews.com)
^ Russia (www.foxnews.com)
^ International Space Station (www.foxnews.com)
^ Charles Bolden (www.foxnews.com)
^ companies (www.foxnews.com)




Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/14/russia-hikes-price-rocket-rides-astronauts-63-million/#ixzz1GgQqOogK