WSJ story.
Okay, so not exactly unprecedented, but just like with the proposed joint production of an airlift platform, we're talking two powers that cannot easily muster the requisite resources for cutting-edge work on their own.
Here we've got the Russian Deputy PM talking with our NASA boss about pushing for joint exploration past the expiration date of the International Space Station (round 2020 or so)--i.e., out into the solar system for real.
As it is, we're already dependent on the Russians for transport to low-earth orbit once we retire the Shuttles.
Ivanov's big sale? It costs a lot to explore space.
I think this is good. Let the Chinese conquer the moon and we go beyond with our old space pals.