Laboratory Equipment (and a bunch of other folks online) is following the story of NASA severing ties with Russia… except for the Space Station:
NASA employees can’t travel to Russia or host visitors until further notice. They’re also barred from emailing or holding teleconferences with their Russian counterparts because of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, according to a memo sent to workers.
Activities related to the space station are exempt. NASA and Russia’s space agency will “continue to work together to maintain safe and continuous operation” of the space station, NASA said in a statement.
Since the retirement of the space shuttle, NASA has depended on Russia to hitch rides to the giant orbiting outpost, paying nearly $71 million for a seat on the Soyuz.
…
After the memo leaked Wednesday, NASA confirmed it was suspending most contact with Russia. But it also took a swipe at Congress, noting that it wouldn’t be relying on Russia to fly to the space station if funding hadn’t been cut. The space agency said it’s looking at private rocket companies to ferry astronauts in 2017.