Since it started the Ukraine war itself, Russia has caused a lot of unrest inside and outside the earth. For example, the Russian space organization Roscosmos has made the news several times with its threats around the ISS. It even went so far as to address the normally peaceful NASA Roscosmos when it displayed a flag on the ISS associated with the war. But, now there seems to be no blemish in the air: the two space superpowers have reached an agreement.
space quarrel
NASA and Roscosmos have agreed on the space flights to and from the International Space Station. This makes it possible to fly both Russian and American astronauts, regardless of which organization arranges the transport. Roscosmos is positive: “This agreement benefits both Russia and the United States. It highlights the development of collaboration within the ISS.”
A positive note at a time when tensions on the ISS are rising. Just last week, the Russians on the ISS showed a flag associated with the war against Ukraine, and NASA did not let that pass unnoticed. It made a statement by denouncing this action by the Russians. The Russians have been little concerned with the other astronauts on the ISS for a few months, because Roscosmos believes that it is not okay with the sanctions that various countries have imposed on Russia.
Threats from Roscosmos
It said: “The sanctions mean the death of the Russian economy and despair and hunger for our people. All to bring our country to its knees.” Although Roscosmos is convinced that the countries are not succeeding, the message was clear, Roscosmos said at the time. Those bold words were just the tip of the iceberg.
However, the appointment of a new CEO at Roscosmos may have provided a breath of fresh air. Dmitry Rogozin had to leave Putin. The rather outspoken man and nationalist has said many threatening things, including the above, but also that he might crash the International Space Station on the United States. Hopefully the new man in Roscosmos’ top seat will do better: Yuri Borisov, who previously served as Putin’s deputy deputy prime minister.
Joint flight
It seems that now there is agreement with the Americans. The maiden flight of NASA and Roscosmos to the ISS will take place in September. Then the astronaut Frank Rubio goes to the station with the cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin. Hopefully burying the hatchet means that the Russians will use the meter-long robot arm that we made in the Netherlands.
It was previously stopped by the sanctions, but who knows, there may be a way to keep it going. All in the name of science, of course, because that is, among other things, what the 11-meter-long robot was made for. Let’s wait and see how those first joint space trips to the ISS go.
Laura Jenny
When she’s not typing, she’s traveling around the wonderful world of entertainment or some cool place in the real world. Mario is the man of her life,…
