Space: A realm of cooperation for Moscow and Washington
Dmitry Bakanov, the head of Roscosmos, made an official visit to the United States to attend the launch of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov aboard a SpaceX spacecraft and meet with NASA’s acting Administrator Sean Duffy.
The visit is a politically and diplomatically significant event, planned months in advance and requiring high-level approval, especially during the current conflict over Ukraine. It marks the first in-person meeting between the heads of Roscosmos and NASA since 2018.
A planned return visit by Rogozin to the US was blocked in 2018 due to sanctions. His successor, Yury Borisov, didn’t have the opportunity for face-to-face talks due to the Ukraine conflict, with communications limited to phone calls. However, with a new administration possibly coming into power, conditions for engagement have changed.
Despite NASA’s leadership turnover and Duffy’s acting role, the symbolism of the meeting is significant after years of limited communication.
The meeting coincides with the anniversary of the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission, highlighting the possibility of collaboration despite geopolitical tensions.
The flight of a Russian cosmonaut on an American spacecraft also emphasizes the potential for collaboration despite conflict. NASA’s increasing reliance on SpaceX rockets, especially after Boeing’s Starliner program delays, further underscores this point.
The Roscosmos visit subtly promotes the idea of cooperation in space. The ISS remains the primary joint project between Russia and the US.
While technical matters were discussed, diplomacy was prioritized. Sergey Krikalev suggested a preliminary agreement to extend ISS operations until 2030. Russia had previously committed to supporting its segment until 2028, while the US has committed to operating its segment until 2030, with a possible extension through 2032.
Krikalev’s statement suggests the possibility of extending joint operations beyond 2028.
Bakanov mentioned discussions on future space cooperation, including the Russian orbital station and deep space missions. This could lead to an ISS extension through 2035, with Russia participating in a successor project. For Trump, a renewed global space station could be a diplomatic win.
Russia’s involvement in ISS-2, possibly with BRICS countries, would make it a more universal project.
Regarding Mars exploration, a meeting between Bakanov and Musk could happen unofficially. Bakanov aims to show that Russia’s aerospace sector is a relevant partner for future space endeavors.
Russia’s nuclear-powered space tug technology and experience in space medicine could be valuable assets for the Mars project.
The Roscosmos visit signifies Russia’s view of space as an area for cooperation, suggesting that common ground can still be found.
This article was first published by the online newspaper and was translated and edited by the RT team
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