<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>In all seriousness, can the Chinese reach the ISS from their launch site, with their Long March 2(Whatever)? Might they be an acceptable alternative to Soyuz, if either Russia or Congress kill further co-operation for ISS access and support?Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra! <br />Posted by trailrider</DIV></p><p>Don't think so. Shenzhou luanches into a different orbital plane.</p><p>Congress can't kill Russian cooperation. Russia is not a simple service provider for whom there are alternatives but a major partner who participation is essential. Congress can vote to end US participiationi n the ISS, which would kill the entire program. Which would be an unbelievably stupid, short sighted, pointless, self harming act, even for politicians. It would destroy any kind of space partnership for years to come,not only with Russia, but with ESA and JAXA</p><p>Jon</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em> Arthur Clarke</p> </div>