The closer we get to Shuttle retirement, the more Russia increases the price per astronaut for a ride into space. Take the current price, $51 million per astronaut, up from $30 million, and multiply that by 5 or 6 astronauts per mission. Last month the Russians said they plan to raise prices again once they are the sole provider of astronaut services to the Space Station.
— Rep. Bill Posley (R-Florida)
