Russia has indicated that it may expand its role at the International Space Station, following the loss of the US space shuttle Columbia earlier this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he recognised the responsibility which Russia bears in light of Nasa's decision to suspend all flights to the space station because of the shuttle disaster.

Mr Putin was speaking via a video link to the station's current three-man crew on Cosmonauts Day, which marks the first manned flight into space on 12 April 1961.

He told the crew that they had dealt brilliantly with the difficult task of continuing operations at the space station in the weeks following the loss of Columbia and the seven astronauts on board.

"Today, as shuttle flights are temporarily grounded, it is important to keep the ISS in working order," Itar-Tass news agency quoted Mr Putin as saying.

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