Russia plans two more joint ISS flights with the USA
Despite their extremely tense relations, Russia and the USA are planning two more joint flights to the International Space Station (ISS), according to Moscow. This was reported by the Russian agency Interfax on Thursday, citing the head of the Russian manned space program, Sergei Krikalyov.
It had previously been announced that a so-called cruise flight was planned for early 2024, in which Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebjonkin would fly to the ISS together with a US crew on board a SpaceX capsule. The agreement that has now been reached will allow at least one more flight in which an American astronaut will board a Russian Soyuz capsule, it was reported in Moscow.
The ISS is one of the few objects where the Americans and Russians are still working together despite the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia keeps talking about building its own orbital station. However, the ISS could still be operated jointly until 2028. Cosmonauts and astronauts have also repeatedly flown into space together.
The collaboration on space travel between Russia and the USA, despite their political conflicts, highlights the importance of science in overcoming geopolitical tensions. This continued cooperation on the International Space Station (ISS) could potentially influence future resolutions in other science-related conflicts.
Source: www.dpa.com
