The United States may take responsibility for Brazil's $120 million contribution to the International Space Station if it is not convinced that Brazil will produce its parts on schedule.
A financial crisis that struck Brazil earlier this year sent a shockwave through the Brazilian Space Agency after the government cut funds for the country's ISS contribution.
The Brazilian Space Agency admits that delays on certain parts it is scheduled to build are virtually inevitable because of the financial cutbacks, but that the country remains committed to producing all its parts eventually.
That commitment may not be good enough for the Americans, who are playing the chief role in the development of the space station.
NASA says the U.S. might take over the responsibility for the Brazilian contribution if it believes Brazil will delay the space station's construction schedule.
"If it can't be accomplished, we will be forced to pursue alternatives in order to maintain the schedule of the hardware," said Dwayne Brown, a NASA spokesman. "Before the end of the year we'll have to make a decision on whether to leave the undertaking under Brazilian responsibility or to take the responsibility ourselves, which would mean paying for it."
That decision could come as early as November, Brown added.
The head of the Brazilian Space Agency, Luis Gylvan Meira-Filho, maintains that it is committed to producing its most important parts on schedule. The production of less critical parts would likely be delayed, he said.
Meanwhile, The Boeing Company has removed its consultant in Brazil because the country is behind on its payments to Boeing.
The company was hired on a $10 million contract to help Brazil prepare for the development of the space station parts, but has not been paid in at least several months, according to Boeing spokeswoman Kari Allen.
Boeing is "slowing down" its consultations, Allen said, by pulling engineers working on the Brazilian contract off full-time duty.
advertisement
