BEIJING, November 8 - Russia is planning to launch four Progress cargo ships and two manned Soyuz craft in 2006, a senior Russian Space Agency said Monday. "We have no doubt that we will launch four Progress and two Soyuz spacecraft in 2006," Agency head Anatoly Perminov told a new conference on the International Space Station (ISS).

Perminov said he hoped Russia would continue to cooperate with the United States, primarily in using Russian spacecraft to ensure the maintenance of the ISS. He also said Russia was planning to install two research modules on the orbital station in 2008-2009, and later equip the Russian segment with an energy module.

Perminov said the construction of the Clipper space shuttle was a key project in the federal space program. The craft, which can carry a crew of six, could replace the Soyuz to become Russia`s main ship in the coming decades.

"We consider the craft`s construction as an international commercial project and have invited various countries to participate in it," Perminov said.
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