![]() The Trump administration announced it would be taken out of service by 2025 in hopes that posting a firm expiration date would incentivize investment into commercial companies that can provide a replacement for the space station. In fact, the ISS program was supposed to end around this time. While the space station is, without a doubt, one of the greatest creations of humankind, it wasn’t built to last forever. We should utilize these partnerships to protect our astronauts and the ISS until it’s decommissioned. ![]() Other companies and countries have also stated their willingness and ability to supply crucial technologies in preparation for Russia’s exit. SpaceX has already indicated its capabilities to create new rocket boosters for the ISS. More commercial companies are now working on space technologies than ever before. The Commercial Space Race Could be the Solution should take aggressive action to deploy commercial technologies in place of these Russian systems. Without backup systems in place, it could create a dangerous environment for the astronauts still onboard the ISS. Russia also supplies additional water and critically, a secondary CO2 air removal system. If Russia were to leave the station in 2024-or perhaps even more abruptly-and take its technology with it, the ISS would deorbit and put the astronauts in grave danger. To offset this, Russia has contributed various modules that keep the station safe and livable-most importantly, the rockets that occasionally reboost the station to keep the ISS in its proper orbit. has contributed the majority of the components and funding for the ISS-$100 billion of the $130 billion in total construction costs-and continues to carry the bulk of the financial burden for operations. It is clear that Russia can no longer afford a world-class space program, and the current Russian regime-and the invasion of Ukraine-has moved our partnership from the difficult to the impossible.įrom the start, the U.S. Roscosmos has had a series of public problems in the past few years with its launch systems, capsules, and station modules. funding and European partnerships for a long time. Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, has been dependent on U.S. ![]() Probably my proudest accomplishment at NASA was keeping that crew together during 2015 when we were in space during Crimea.” Unfortunately, this cozy relationship would soon run its course. ![]() We listened to the radio, they told jokes, and they taught me a lot of Russian words that I didn't learn in class. “I wanted to be one crew, so at night I would take my dinner in a Ziploc bag, and float down to the Russian segment,” Virts said in an NPR interview. Retired Air Force Colonel and NASA astronaut Terry Virts described his time with the Russians as one of the highlights of his time in space. Flying brightly over most countries on Earth, the ISS symbolized peace and unity during war and political upheaval and facilitated incredible technological advancements. Up until the Ukrainian invasion, the 20-year partnership has been an extremely positive one. While the ISS now includes 15 countries, it is operationally bifurcated-Russia operates one side, and the U.S. Following the successful collaborative space mission in the 1970s-Apollo-Soyuz-the Clinton administration decided to pivot to an international approach, and the International Space Station was born. The collapse of the Soviet Union provided a further impetus for constructive engagement with Russia in space. ![]() “Space Station Freedom,” but the unexpectedly high cost of space shuttle operations made an international effort more realistic. In the 1980s, the Reagan Administration envisioned a U.S. In the beginning, partnering on the ISS was financially and politically beneficial for both the U.S. Regardless of how or when Russia leaves, creativity and cooperation with our international and commercial partners are paramount in paving the best path forward for American space exploration and diplomacy. While many questions whether Russia will follow through on its declaration-after all, this is the same country that swore it had no intention of invading Ukraine-most Western policymakers have come to the reluctant conclusion that this collaboration should not continue as long as Putin remains in power. Such a move could leave America’s huge investment in the station and our astronauts vulnerable if immediate action is not taken. After more than two-decades partnering with the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan, Russia has announced plans to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024. ![]()
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