NASA chief backs proposal for European spaceship

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — NASA chief Mike Griffin on Thursday threw his weight behind calls for Europe to build its own manned spacecraft.

The experience of the US shuttle, to be retired in 2010, highlighted the need for multiple systems to provide backup for the International Space Station (ISS), Griffin told reporters in Paris.

Griffin praised a robot European freighter that carried out a maiden automatic docking with the ISS in April, and said he was deeply enthusiastic about proposals to transform it into a crew transporter.

"I think it's a great idea. I would love to Europe to do that," he said.

"We have moved into an era where the advanced nations of the world in partnership now have substantial space assets at risk.

"We must make sure that we have...