Despite tensions with the West, Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has pledged its continued participation in the International Space Station (ISS) until 2028. Roskosmos boss Yuri Borissow has sent a corresponding letter to the ISS partners in the USA, Europe, Canada and Japan, the authority announced today. Moscow had previously announced that it would exit the ISS after 2024 and build its own orbital station.
Borisov praised the cooperation on the ISS as “the largest and most successful project in the field of space travel”. He was “glad that this unique laboratory is continuing its work and helping to implement mankind’s boldest ideas for exploring space,” wrote the 66-year-old.
Just two weeks ago, Borissov presented plans for his own orbital station to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This should serve, among other things, a Russian moon mission. However, the station, which is estimated to cost 6.7 billion euros, is only at the design stage.
The chief designer of the space company Energiya, which was commissioned with the construction, Vladimir Solovyov, had declared in December 2022 that the first crew could fly to the national space station in 2028. Moscow independently operated the Mir space station from 1986 to 2001.
