Moscow, 27 July 2022 (TDI): Roscosmos’s Director General, Yury Borisov announced Russia’s intent to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) after 2024.
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with the Director General of the Roscosmos State Space Corporation.
In line with the transcript of the meeting with the Russian President, Borisov stated that they will fulfill their entire obligations to their partners.
However, Borisov highlighted that the decision and withdrawal from this station after 2024 were made.
The announcement comes after years of scientific collaboration between Russia and the US. Furthermore, Borisov believed that they will start building a Russian orbital station by 2024.
“I believe that we will start building a Russian orbital station by that time. To my mind, the future of the Russian manned space programme should primarily hinge on a well-thought-out and systemic research programme, so that each flight will expand our knowledge of outer space,” Borisov said.
Noteworthy, Borisov’s statement reaffirmed declarations previously made by Russian space officials about Russia’s intention to leave the space station.
Prior to this, the former Head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin stated last month that Moscow could participate in negotiations.
Specifically on a possible extension of the station’s operations. However, he further said that only if the United States lifts its sanctions against Russian space industries.
On the other side, NASA envisions ISS operations to continue until the year 2030 and this was affirmed by the White House last year.
In addition to this, at a conference on Tuesday, NASA’s Director of the ISS, Robyn Gatens said that she had not heard officially from her Russian counterparts concerning Russia’s intent to withdraw from the collaboration.
ISS
The International Space Station is a symbol of “peaceful global scientific pursuit”. Notably, the space station has also been a symbol of post-Cold War international teamwork for a long time. However, it will soon be one of the last areas of cooperation between Russia and the US.
Thus, the two nations have been jointly building and operating a laboratory in space. It is utilized to conduct scientific research in zero gravity. Along with testing out technology for future journeys to the moon and Mars.
As it consists of two main sections, one is run by Russia, the other by the US as well as other countries.
Additionally, the station’s initial module was launched in 1998, and since 2000, astronauts have lived there.
Above all, NASA and Roscomos recently concluded an agreement that would give Russian astronauts seats on American-built spacecraft. Also in exchange for NASA astronauts’ getting rides to orbit on Russian Soyuz rockets.
 after...read more){kind=link}