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International Space Station - Source: Reuters/NASA
A senior Russian space official says delays in American shuttle launches to the International Space Station (ISS) means extra work for Russian rocket crews without any financial compensation.
Russia and the United States are the main contributors to the 16-nation $US100 billion ISS project, but Russia has borne the brunt of sending crews and cargo there since the shuttle Columbia disintegrated in 2003, killing seven astronauts.
"We are most concerned by the unpredictability of shuttle launches," RIA news agency quotes Russian mission control flight coordinator Valdimir Solovyov as saying.
The Endeavour shuttle blasted off earlier this month after repeated delays.
NASA said it would hold off launching any more space shuttles until it better understands a problem with the craft's insulation.
Solovyov says the uncertainty about the US launch dates means Russian rocket staff have had to re-calculate ballistic parameters of flights by the Progress spacecraft, an automated Russian cargo vehicles used for the ISS.
"This is a big strain on the staff which is not financially compensated," he says.
NASA plans seven more shuttle launches to complete construction of the International Space Station. Its next flight is due to launch on August 18.
