WASHINGTON: NASA has cut all contacts with Russia except for cooperation aboard the International Space Station, according to an internal memo obtained by the online news site The Verge yesterday. NASA did not immediately return calls for comment. However, a copy of the memo posted online described a halt to travel to Russia by NASA employees and to visits by Russians to NASA facilities and a freeze on exchange of email, teleconferences and video conferences. “Given Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, until further notice, the US government has determined that all NASA contacts with Russian government representatives are suspended, unless the activity has been specifically excepted,” it said. The new policy does not apply to “operational ISS activities” or “multilateral meetings held outside of Russia that may include Russian participation,” added the memo. Reuters
