Add Category
A photo from the International Space Station on December 7, 2014. Picture: AFP / NASA/ Barry Wilmore Source: AFP
THE International Space Station (ISS) is a collaborative project between the US, Russia and other European states that demonstrates the awesome achievements possible when nations work together.
Launched in 1998, the space station acts as a habitable satellite environment where crew members can conduct research, experiments and the testing of spacecraft systems required for missions to Mars and the Moon.
However amid deteriorating relations between Russia and the West, the Russian government’s space agency (Roscosmos) has issued a declaration, saying it wants to build its very own.
Relations between Russia and the West have been severely tested this year with Putin’s occupation of Crimea as well as his perceived inaction over the downing of flight MH17.
The increase in political friction has served to jeopardise the chance of ongoing space cooperation with the head of Roscosmos, Oleg Ostapenko, confirming that they are “considering†building their own space station.
US astronaut Rick Mastracchio takes a selfie on April 23, 2014, during a repair mission outside the International Space Station. Picture: NASA / Rick Mastracchio Source: Supplied
Tensions have been simmering for some time. In the wake of Crimea, NASA cut off all communication with Roscosmos, except for matters that involved the ISS.
Shortly after, on May 13, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that Russia will cease working with Americans on the ISS come 2020. As Russia owns the only ferry to and from the space station, this would effectively lock the Americans out.
In order to protect themselves from this scenario, in September the US awarded 6.8 Billion in contracts to Boeing and Elon Musk’s Space X to develop their own crew transport system.
A press release at the time of the announcement illustrated NASA’s concerns over Russia’s actions.
“NASA is laser-focused on a plan to return human spaceflight launches to American soil, and end our reliance on Russia to get into space,†the agency assured the public in the statement.
Russia's Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft (the only ferry to the ISS) carrying German astronaut Alexander Gerst, Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev and US NASA astronaut Gregory Wiseman on May 29, 2014. Picture: AFP / Kirill Kudryavtsev Source: AFP
Since its launch, the International Space Station has hosted crew from over 15 different countries and has come to symbolise global unity. And with the huge sums of money necessary to conduct activities of space research it makes a great deal of sense for international collaboration.
While it remains to be seen if this latest news from the Russian space agency is more geopolitical posturing than genuine intention, if Russia does go through with building its own space station, it could ignite an old feud.
Both NASA and the Russian Embassy have been contacted for comment.