The news about Russia signing off from the International Space Station by 2024 was already on the cards as per the reports released on Tuesday, but recently it has announced that it is still going to work with NASA at the ISS until the country manufactures its own orbital space station. Russia plans to work closely with NASA on this venture till 2028, and after that, a “Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS)” would be on board, as per the plans. According to authorities, ROSS will be entirely different from ISS in terms of its operational performance and productivity level. However, for the time being, Russia is hoping to make good on these promises to work in collaboration with NASA.
Vladimir Solovyov said, “We, of course, need to continue operating the ISS until we create a more or less tangible backlog for ROSS. We must take into account that if we stop manned flights for several years, then it will be very difficult to restore what has been achieved. ” Moreover, the two astronauts on board and the team members on the ground were not aware of the separation plans as the news made headlines on Tuesday. They said that no official statement has been released and that we are trying to work together for our future endeavors.
On the other hand, NASA’s Administrator Bill Nelson said, “NASA has not been made aware of decisions from any of the partners, though we are continuing to build future capabilities to assure our major presence in low-Earth orbit.” The newly appointed chief of the state space agency, Roscosmos, Yury Borisov, said that Russia must start manufacturing its own space station that is as capable as the ISS. He further stated, ”I think that by that time we will start putting together a Russian orbital station. Of course, we will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made. “
It should be important to note that Russia’s new space station, which will be equivalent to ISS would cost $6 billion, as per reports from an undisclosed source. Along with this, it has been reported that three cosmonauts displayed an “anti-Ukraine flag” at the ISS earlier this month, which compelled NASA to condemn the act because they are using “ISS for political purposes to support its war against Ukraine.” NASA, on the other hand, wants to work in peace and harmony without the inclusion of any political interference.
According to the press secretary, Jackie McGuinness, “It was fundamentally inconsistent with the station’s primary function among the 15 international participating countries to advance science and develop technology for peaceful purposes.”