Russia recently announced its plans to leave the International Space Station (ISS) next year. At the same time, the space agency has also been in talks with the Chinese space agency to work as a team on future missions.
Russia and the US have been sharing the ISS for a long time, having a mutually beneficial relationship becoming an icon of cooperation in space. Russia has been vocal about its plans to leave the space laboratory by 2024.
NASA wants Russia’s cooperation
NASA wants to continue work aboard the ISS until at least 2030. The space agency’s Bill Nelson said that “if Russia pulls out, it would not be good.” What’s worse than Russia calling it a day on the ISS is the fact that the Russian space agency might be teaming up with the Chinese space agency for upcoming missions.
NASA follows a federal law that refrains the space agency from working with China on any space projects. Earlier in 2021, China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding for developing a Moon base together. Russia joins forces with China could give rise to a new space race.
Back in the 60s, the space race was at its peak, resulting in NASA sending astronauts to the Moon. Before approaching China for any sort of space cooperation, NASA will require approval from the FBI or Congress. Nelson believes a new race against the US can start if Russia begins to rely on China for its space missions. Nelson says NASA’s cooperation with Russia is imperative for the space agency.
Russia soon to detach from ISS
As of now, Russia is maintaining the ISSS and making required repairs to the space laboratory. It is also sending astronauts to and fro the ISS. However, it’s unclear whether this cooperation will continue past 2024.
Recently, Russian cosmonauts embarked on a long spacewalk aboard the ISS. The spacewalk was to decommission the Russian Pirs module officially. The module will soon be detached from the ISS, making it the first to be discarded in space. It is supposed to happen after July 17, though the exact date is not yet announced.
