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Paris, 6 December 2002
Press Release
Nø 77-2002

JOINT STATEMENT
INTERNATIONAL SPACE SATION HEADS OF AGENCY MEETING

Space agency leaders from the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and
Russia met in Tokyo, Japan, December 6, 2002, to review and further
promote International Space Station (ISS) cooperation. The meeting
participants reviewed in detail the significant progress that has been
made in the development and deployment of the ISS elements and in the
implementation of the ISS Program Action Plan adopted at the last 
Heads of Agency meeting in June 2002. This Plan provided the framework 
for the Partnership's efforts over the last six months to select an 
option path to meet the utilization and resource requirements of the 
ISS.

At this meeting, the participants unanimously endorsed an option path 
that enables maximised ISS utilization in the 2006/2007 timeframe 
through greater use of ISS research elements. The implementation of an 
expanded scientific program on ISS would be supported by phased growth 
of ISS capabilities, significantly increased quantity of permanent 
crew, with crew rescue initially provided by additional Soyuz crew 
rescue vehicles and eventually by both Soyuz and Orbital Space Plane. 
Additional Space shuttle, and other vehicle support would also enhance 
this unique on-orbit research facility. The participants also agreed 
upon a process for selecting an ISS configuration beyond the 
accommodation of the remaining International Partner elements. This 
process includes further technical and programmatic assessment, cost 
estimation, and internal budgetary reviews by each partner. It will 
lead to approval of a configuration option recommendation in March 
2003, the selection of a revised ISS configuration option by June/July 
2003, and agreement on a configuration by December 2003.

The Partners noted with great enthusiasm the continuing success of ISS
assembly activities and confirmed that development of the remaining 
ISS elements is proceeding as planned. They look forward to successful
accommodation of key ISS partner elements by February 2004 that allows 
the accommodation of remaining partner ISS utilization and 
infrastructure elements. This will enable improved scientific and 
technological capabilities in the 2006/2007 timeframe.

They also highlighted the third year of permanent human presence and
research on board the ISS and the recent successful launch of the ISS
Expedition Six crew. This crew will concentrate on assembly tasks and 
the conduct of essential scientific research on behalf of all of the 
ISS Partners to improve life on Earth while exploring the frontier of 
space.  The Partners look forward to increasing tangible benefits of 
this unprecedented international cooperation as the Partnership 
proceeds with assembly, and increased utilization of, this world-class 
research facility.

For further information, please contact: 
Franco Bonacina
ESA Media Relations Service 
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax : +33(0)1.53.69.7690

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