The Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Rosaviakosmos) informed its international partners in writing July 12 that it intends to deliver Bass to the space station on a Soyuz capsule this fall provided a deal can be concluded for the estimated $20 million flight.

According to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Space News, a Russian cash crunch is at the heart of Rosaviakosmos decision to fly Bass this fall. "We ask for the cooperation of all the ISS partners in this endeavor as it will ensure RASAs ability to meet Soyuz production obligations in 2002 and allow us certain surplus in the coming year," wrote M.V. Sinelschikov, Rosaviakosmos head of space flight directorate in the July 12 letter address to Frederick Gregory, NASAs associate administrator for space flight.

Russias proposal was taken up by the international space stations Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) meeting in Montreal this week.

According to a senior NASA official, the word at the agencys headquarters here this morning is that European and Canadian space station officials have raised an objection to Bass flight on the grounds that the Russians have waited too long to submit his name. The Canadian Space Agencys Washington representative, Graham Gibbs, could not be reached for comment. Frederic Nordlund, the European Space Agencys Washington representative said he had no information about the discussions in Montreal.

Under rules agreed to earlier this year, space tourists are supposed to receive six months training before embarking for the space station. The Soyuz Bass has his eye one is slated to depart for the space station in late October, just three months from now.