Russia to build its own space station from 2027
The ISS in poor condition and Russia will not have pauses in manned spaceflight, so a new research facility in space is needed. Within a decade, this new research facility should already be completed.
Russia will begin building its own space station in 2027. Then, the first module of the facility will be launched into space, Roscosmos announced. By 2030, the core of the station should be complete. This consists of four units: a module for research and energy supply, as well as a transfer, base, and universal docking module. The expansion of the so-called Russian Orbital Station (ROSS) is planned from 2031 to 2033 through the attachment of two additional construction units.
Roscosmos head Yuri Borisov justified the approved timeline with the allegedly poor condition of the International Space Station (ISS). "Everyone knows very well what condition the ISS is in. And the most important thing: We cannot allow a pause in manned spaceflight," Borisov said at the signing of the plan.
Originally, the ISS, which is now over 25 years old, was supposed to have been decommissioned. However, operation times have been extended multiple times. Currently, the ISS is expected to remain in orbit until at least 2028. The US space agency NASA, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), have also expressed interest in continuing operations beyond 2028. However, Russia, after beginning its military conflict with Ukraine and tensions with the West, announced its withdrawal from the joint project "after 2024." It was then reported last year that Russia would remain on board until 2028.
Russia's space program, according to Borisov, does not limit itself to the construction of the ROSS but also includes the creation of the necessary infrastructure with the Vostochny Cosmodrome, new carrier rockets, and spacecraft. Contracts for the construction and testing of the rockets have been signed, Roscosmos reported. Russia plans to invest approximately 6 billion Euros in total in the construction of the station. The chief designer of Ros, Vladimir Kochegov, also announced that Artificial Intelligence will be used in the process.
The decision to build a new research facility in space stems from the poor condition of the ISS, making Education and Space travel reliant on alternative options beyond the ISS. Russia's new space station, set to begin construction in 2027, will significantly contribute to Space travel and research, notably through its research module.
