The announcement was made by Yuri Borisov, the new head of Roskosmos, the Russian space agency, in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, in which he specified that Moscow will leave the ISS “after 2024”and that while his country builds the new station, he will fulfill all his obligations.
In his meeting with the president, Borisov indicated that the new station will provide Russia with the necessary space services for modern life, for example, navigation and data transmission.
When will the construction of Russia’s new orbital station begin
“I think that by this time we will start putting together a Russian orbital station,” Borisov said, adding that the new station was his agency’s top priority.
Vladimir Solovyov, general designer of the Russian space engineering corporation RKK Energiya, announced that the construction of the new Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS, in Russian) could start in 2028that is to say that there would be a lapse between the departure date of the ISS and the start-up of the new station.
The space station is jointly run by Russia, the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada.
The first piece was put into orbit in 1998 and the outpost has been continuously inhabited for nearly 22 years. It is used to conduct scientific research in zero gravity and test technology for future trips to the Moon and Mars.
It typically has a crew of seven, who spend months aboard the station as it orbits about 260 miles (420 kilometers) above Earth. Three Russians, three Americans and one Italian are now on board.
US reaction
Moscow’s decision was qualifies as “unfortunate” by the State Department spokesman, Ned Price, who was surprised by Moscow’s announcement.
“This is an unfortunate decision given the important scientific work done on the ISS, the valuable professional collaboration our space agencies have had over the years, and especially in light of our renewed agreement on spaceflight cooperation, it took us by surprise. the public statement,” Price said during a news conference, according to the AFP news agency.
The spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, he said the United States is “exploring options” to deal with a Russian withdrawal.
The 24-year-old space station has long been a symbol of post-Cold War international teamwork in the name of science, but it is now one of the latest areas of cooperation between the United States and Russia.
Russia’s announcement is sure to spark speculation that it is part of Moscow’s maneuvering to gain relief from Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.
Borisov’s predecessor, Dmitry Rogozin, said last month that Moscow could enter negotiations on a possible extension of the station’s operations only if the United States lifts sanctions against Russian space industries.
The $100 billion-plus complex is as long as a football field and consists of two main sections, one run by Russia, the other by the United States and other countries.
It was not immediately clear what will have to be done on the Russian side of the complex to safely operate the space station once Moscow leaves.
Source: Ambito
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