The crash of the SpaceX CRS-7 Falcon 9 rocket played into the hands of Russia

Source : http://sputniknews.com

The crash of the SpaceX CRS-7 Falcon 9 rocket played into the hands of Russia, since the Russian-made Soyuz remains the main servicer of the International Space Station (ISS), Breitbart reported.

The Falcon 9 rocket exploded just three minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. SpaceX rocket was carrying the Dragon cargo ship with supplies for the ISS. According to SpaceX founder Elon Musk, the explosion happened due to excess pressure in the liquid oxygen tank.

© AP PHOTO/ JOHN RAOUX

Program for ISS Mission Remains Unchanged Despite SpaceX Crash - Roscosmos

NATO contracted SpaceX for $1.6 billion to fly at least 12 unmanned re-supply missions to the ISS. The failed mission was an attempt to deliver a water purifier, as well as an extra docking port adapter, food, research data and one extra space suit.

Although astronauts at the space station have enough water and supplies to last for several months, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden described the explosion of the rocket as a "significant setback" to the re-supply program, Breitbart said.

Currently, the incident is under investigation to find out what went wrong with the CRS-7 Falcon 9 rocket. Until the investigation is complete SpaceX won't be able to fly missions to the ISS.

The next cargo delivery flight will be launched from the Baikanur station in Kazakhstan this Friday after Russian officials re-scheduled it from August 3 to July 3.

Russia looks to sign new defense agreement with North Korea

Source : http://m.rbth.co.uk

Russia is looking at signing a new agreement with North Korea that calls for the prevention of dangerous military activities, Sputnik News cited Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin as saying at a meeting with the Chairman of North Korea’s Supreme People's Assembly Choe Thae Bok.

“We consider it appropriate to significantly intensify our efforts to improve and to update the legal framework of our relations,” Naryshkin said, according to the report. “We consider it possible before the end of the year to sign two important documents: a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and an agreement on preventing dangerous military activities.”

“In turn, I would like to assure you that the Russian leadership’s policy for good neighborly relations, development of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries remains unchanged,” Naryshkin was quoted by the news agency as saying.