Russia has decided to stop its operation of the International Space Station (ISS) “after 2024”, announced on Tuesday July 26 the head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), Yuri Borissov. An essentially political choice, in response to Western sanctions taken following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
“We will undoubtedly fulfill all our obligations towards our partners” from the ISS, said Yuri Borissov, during a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “But the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made. »
“I think that by then we will start creating the Russian orbital station”who will be “the main priority” of the national space program, he added. “The future of Russian manned flights must be based above all on a systemic and balanced scientific program so that each flight enriches us with knowledge in the space field”he specified.
outrageous nationalism
Appointed head of Roscosmos in mid-July, Yuri Borissov replaced Dmitri Rogozin, known for his abrasive style and outrageous nationalism. Until this appointment, Yuri Borissov, 65, held the role of Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Russian military-industrial complex, which also includes the space sector.
“The space domain is in a difficult situation, and I believe that my main task (…) is not to lower the bar, but to raise it, first and foremost by providing the space services necessary for the Russian economy”he pointed out, citing in particular navigation, communication and data transmission.
Sanctions occidentales
By 2020, Russia had lost its monopoly on space sends (with its aging but reliable Soyuz launchers and spacecraft) with the arrival on the SpaceX scene of billionaire Elon Musk.
Russian-Western cooperation in the space field has also been weighed down by the offensive launched by Russia since February 24 against its Ukrainian neighbor. The Western sanctions taken against Russia because of this offensive partly affect the Russian aerospace industry and risk having effects on the ISS, some supplies of which could be disrupted.
ISS extended to 2030
For its part, NASA is counting on a continuation of the operations of the international space station until the end of the decade. In May 2020, the dispatch of astronauts by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon space vehicle paved the way for crew flights in private capsules and ended the exclusivity held by Soyuz, the Russian space vehicle.
The ISS should thus continue to welcome scientific and commercial flights until 2030. The following year, the American space agency planned its decommissioning. The ISS should then end its life with a return to Earth and a fatal dive in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.