According to a report in The Washington Post, the Russian-Georgian war may have several very serious consequences, including the possiblity of preventing NASA from having its astronauts check in the International Space Station (ISS) for the upcoming space missions.

Several lawmakers issued a warning on Friday which said that Moscow’s decision to continue the war is very likely to determine Congress to terminate the presently used agreement between the two countries according to which Russia is getting paid for taking astronauts to the ISS. The Soyuz deal would cover the five year period between the shuttle's retirement, scheduled for 2010, and the start of the new spacecraft’s activity (Orion).

The hot issue right now is waiver that is waiting for a reauthorization from Congress. According to a 2000 law, the U.S. cannot pursue purchases from countries that have engaged in nuclear program related transactions with either Iran or North Korea. The waiver would make it possible for Russia to start working with the U.S. government. So far, it has been approved by The House Foreign Affairs Committee; however, it still has a long way to go as it must also pass the full House, then the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, in the end, the full Senate.

Up to this point, the Russian Space Agency has received $719 million from NASA (for the 2005 - 2011 period) for flying U.S. astronauts to the ISS. No information has been issued with regard to the next five years as further negotiations with the Russians must first take place.