Russia considers it possible to continue space cooperation with the United States after the closure of the International Space Station (ISS), stated on Tuesday the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Dmitri Bakanov. He said that the two sides have presented each other with technical information about their projects and that there is the possibility of joint projects in orbit even after the end of the ISS program.
Dmitri Bakanov stated, in an interview broadcasted by the Russian public television, that Russia and the USA have exchanged information about the technical characteristics of the projects they are preparing.
According to the head of Roscosmos, this exchange creates the possibility for the two countries to cooperate in Earth’s orbit even after the conclusion of the International Space Station program.
Bakanov emphasized that, currently, Roscosmos and NASA maintain a close cooperation within the orbital station, writes EFE.
“A common infrastructure” in orbit
The head of Roscosmos explained that the crews of the two countries are well coordinated and that Russia and the USA are currently operating two segments of the International Space Station, one Russian and one American.
He described the station as a common infrastructure, comparing it to “a microstate in Earth’s orbit”.
In his opinion, cooperation is necessary even under the existing tensions between Russia and the United States.
Bakanov said that the two countries cannot operate independently on the ISS and that mutual support is essential. In case of a problem, he explained, one of the partners must be able to intervene to help the other.
Bakanov also commented on the United States’ request to extend the operation of the International Space Station until 2030.
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