Russia has decided to quit the International Space Station "after 2024", the newly-appointed chief of Moscow's space agency told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
The announcement comes as tensions rage between the Kremlin and the West over Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine and several rounds of unprecedented sanctions against Russia.
Russia and the United States have worked side by side on the ISS, which has been in orbit since 1998.
"Of course, we will fulfil all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made," Yury Borisov, who was appointed Roscosmos chief in mid-July, told Putin.
"I think that by this time we will start putting together a Russian orbital station," Borisov added, calling it the space programme's main "priority".
"Good," Putin replied in comments released by the Kremlin.
Until now space exploration was one of the few areas where cooperation between Russia and the United States and its allies had not been wrecked by tensions over Ukraine and elsewhere.
Borisov said the space industry was in a "difficult situation".
He said he would seek "to raise the bar, and first of all, to provide the Russian economy with the necessary space services", pointing to navigation, communication, and data transmission, among other things.
Sending the first man into space in 1961 and launching the first satellite four years earlier are among key accomplishments of the Soviet space programme and remain a major source of national pride in Russia.
But experts say the Russian space agency remains a shadow of its former self and has in recent years suffered a series of setbacks including corruption scandals and the loss of a number of satellites and other spacecraft.
Borisov, a former deputy prime minister with a military background, has replaced Dmitry Rogozin, a firebrand nationalist politician known for his bombastic statements and eccentric behaviour.
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I'm an enthusiast and expert deeply versed in space exploration and international collaborations within the field. My knowledge extends across the historical context, ongoing developments, and the intricacies of space agencies worldwide. This expertise is not just theoretical but is grounded in a keen interest in the subject, ongoing research, and a continuous effort to stay abreast of the latest developments.
Now, regarding the article, the announcement that Russia intends to leave the International Space Station (ISS) after 2024 is a significant development with far-reaching implications for the global space community. Here are key concepts related to the article:
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International Space Station (ISS):
- The ISS has been a collaborative effort involving Russia and the United States, among other partners, since its launch in 1998.
- It serves as a unique space laboratory for scientific research, technology development, and international cooperation.
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Russia's Decision to Quit the ISS:
- Yury Borisov, the newly-appointed chief of Roscosmos (Russia's space agency), conveyed to President Vladimir Putin that Russia would leave the ISS after 2024.
- The decision comes amid geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, particularly due to Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine and consequent sanctions.
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Russian Orbital Station:
- Borisov mentioned the plan to assemble a Russian orbital station, making it a top priority for the Russian space program.
- This move indicates a shift in Russia's space strategy, potentially signaling a more independent approach to space exploration.
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Space Industry Challenges:
- Borisov acknowledged that the Russian space industry is in a "difficult situation."
- The chief emphasized the need to enhance the space industry to provide essential services to the Russian economy, such as navigation, communication, and data transmission.
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History of Russian Space Achievements:
- Russia has a storied history in space exploration, including sending the first human into space in 1961 and launching the first satellite four years earlier.
- Despite these historical accomplishments, experts suggest that the Russian space agency has faced setbacks in recent years, including corruption scandals and the loss of satellites and spacecraft.
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Leadership Change in Roscosmos:
- Yury Borisov, a former deputy prime minister with a military background, replaced Dmitry Rogozin as the head of Roscosmos.
- Rogozin was known for his nationalist stance and outspoken demeanor.
This complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, national priorities, and the challenges facing the Russian space industry makes this a noteworthy development in the ever-evolving landscape of space exploration.
