"We believe in the success of the space shuttle mission," head of Energia Nikolai Sevastyanov told RIA Novosti. "However, if our American colleagues need help in the future, we are ready to offer assistance in the transportation of cargo and crews on board our Soyuz spacecraft. Nevertheless, it is up to the U.S. to decide whether it needs help. Technically, this task is feasible."
Three Soyuz spacecraft could be used to bring nine crewmembers back to Earth in January-February 2006, although it will be hardly necessary, he said.
Russian Space Agency official Alexei Krasnov said, "If space shuttle flights are delayed for a long time, the heads of the space agencies of countries-members of the ISS project will have to meet to coordinate their plans."
Discovery's launch took place on July 26, two-and-a-half years after the 2003 Columbia disaster.
