Indian astronaut plan grounded

NASA and ISRO have shelved plans to train an Indian astronaut at NASA to be part of a manned mission of the American space shuttle. During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s visit to the US last year, it was agreed that India would bear the training costs of its astronaut who would be flown by NASA. The American space agency is restricting the number of flights and would undertake only those necessary for completing the International Space Station, Michael Griffin said.

Griffin sorry about sanctions

NASA administrator Michael Griffin on Tuesday said he 8216;8216;was sorry about8217;8217; American sanctions on some Indian space units.Asked at a press conference if he would use his 8216;8216;good offices8217;8217; to see that sanctions, which continued to be imposed on some Indian space units were lifted, he said: 8216;8216;I am sorry about the past. But I would certainly take forth a good word about Indian space capabilities8217;8217; and Indian technical capability.