NASA says it will launch humans to space from American soil again by 2017. The news comes on the heels of NASA's announcement that it has cut all contact with Russia's space agency due to Russia's escalating tensions with Ukraine.

For now, the two agencies will continue to work together on the International Space Station, where astronauts from both countries are currently living. Since the U.S. shuttered its shuttle program in 2011, NASA has been fully dependent on Russia when it comes to getting astronauts into orbit.

"NASA is laser focused on a plan to return human spaceflight launches to American soil, and end our reliance on Russia to get into space," said spokesperson Allard Beutel via email.

"We’re now looking at launching from U.S. soil in 2017," Beutel said. "The choice here is between fully funding the plan to bring space launches back to America or continuing to send millions of dollars to the Russians. It’s that simple."

A new crew, which includes two Russian cosmonauts and NASA astronaut Steve Swanson, launched to the ISS on a Russian Soyuz rocket on March 25.

Image: NASA

The $150 billion ISS has been a cornerstone of peace between Russia and the U.S., and has been able to operate above politics — a similar sentiment we've heard before from several astronauts.

This suspension with Russia's space agency includes only travel, meetings and communications for now, but if the breakup eventually spills over into the ISS, it could be detrimental to America's space program until it has a shuttle program up and running again.