Russian Space Corporation 'Energia' ("Energy") and Lockheed Martin and Boeing, US, have signed an agreement to modernize the new US multi-purpose crew vehicle Orion so that it can dock with Russian spacecraft.

      "Orion shall be able to dock with the other space craft while being launched into outer space. We have discussed it last week, among others, at a meeting with the Lockheed Martin and Boeing in the US," the Energia President Vladimir Solntsev told the press.

      He also said that the spacecrafts should be compatible with each other as circumstances in the future are unpredictable, and that the corporations should provide support to each in this process.

      The companies have already signed a number of agreements on future cooperation following the recent meetings. According to Solntsev, the US partners have expressed interest in joint programs to explore outer space.

      The new US spacecraft is expected to carry a crew of up to four astronauts to destinations at or beyond Low Earth Orbit. Ultimately it is intended to facilitate human exploration of asteroids and Mars.

      Orion's first flight took place in December 2014. NASA plans to launch the first crewed missions in the early 2020s.