Russia will walk out of an over two-decade-long partnership on the International Space Station that shaped space exploration in the post-cold-war world. What happens next?
Spacesuits readies ahead of a spacewalk on ISS. (Photo: Nasa)
After over two decades of partnership that led to groundbreaking discoveries, scientific research, and collaboration, Russia has announced that it will walk out of the International Space Station after 2024. The newly appointed Russian space agency, Roscosmos, chief Yuri Borisov told President Vladimir Putin, “The decision to leave the station after 2024 has been made.”
While the announcement is not unexpected, it does come as a surprise for many, who had been hoping that the two nuclear powers will continue to work together beyond Earth, while they engage in heated political turmoil on the ground. The break in ties, however, now seems to have transcended the border between the land and space.
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The development had been on the cards ever since Putin announced the invasion of Ukraine and Russian forces marched towards Kyiv nearly four months ago, in one of the bloodiest battles of the new decade. What's the endgame now?
Also Read | 'Decision made': Russia to quit International Space Station after 2024
Expedition 67 crew members pose with fresh fruit flying weightlessly in microgravity delivered recently aboard the Progress 81 (81P) cargo craft. (Photo: Nasa)
WHY THE SUDDEN ANNOUNCEMENT?
The announcement by the Roscosmos chief is being looked at as his first act to please his bosses in the Kremlin, who had been vying for ending the relationship that was seen as a symbol of the post-cold-war world. Before assuming office, Borisov was in charge of the weapons industry.
Borisov succeeds Dmitry Rogozin, another supporter of the Russian war in Ukraine and a vocal critic of his western counterparts. Rogozin had been regularly provoking with his threats of Moscow walking out of the partnership to an extent where he even said that if the US does not lift sanctions, they could crash the Space Station.
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The announcement paves the way for Moscow's long-term plan of launching its own station in orbit, boosting its domestic research in the sector. Russia had been the leader in space exploration up until Nasa landed the first human on the Moon in what was one of the biggest developments to have come out of the cold war.
ADVANTAGE CHINA
The news will be well received in Beijing, which is building its own space station, Tiangong, and nearing its completion by the end of this year. The latest development is set to boost chances for the Chinese National Space Administration to attract not just scientific research proposals but also investments.
China will complete its Space Station by end of the year. (File Pic)
China is on a roll given that there are already plans in place to de-orbit the ISS by the end of this decade. The Space Station, which had been over three decades in the making had been a hub of deep space exploration and a symbol of cooperation between the West and Russia after the cold war ended.
Moscow and Beijing have already been vibing when it comes to space exploration and the two have plans to jointly develop a research base on the Moon. The two had in June last year unveiled plans Joint International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which includes building facilities both on the surface and in the lunar orbit. While engineers are undecided on the final location of the lunar base, initial studies put the Amundsen crater on the South Pole as a potential site.
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Also Read | Space Station will die its own death..: Russian space agency
PRIVATE COMPANIES ON THE HUNT
Russia's withdrawal from the Space Station will open a new door for private companies to enter the Space Station as the laboratory requires a permanent presence and funding to sustain itself. The private sector will not only bring new research but also major dollars for Nasa to keep pushing it till 2030.
The SpaceX Dragon space freighter approaches the International Space Station 271 miles above the southern tip of Argentina. (Photo: SpaceX)
Several private companies like Blue Origin are already working on building a commercial space station, Orbital Reef, in Low Earth Orbit, and the development could mean they are up for capturing a big chunk of that market. SpaceX will also be looking to score a big chunk of this pie as it works to push to Moon and Mars in the future.
END OF AN ERA
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The announcement marks the beginning of the end of the Space Station that has been the center of scientific research outside the planet for over two decades. Nearly 110 countries have so far been part of research and experimentation done in zero-gravity on the station that flies at 27,576 kmph about 400 kilometers above the planet.
Also Read | On Earth, Russia, US spar over Ukraine. In Space, they live in peace
Pegged at nearly $100 billion, the Space Station is about as long as a football field and consists of two main sections, one run by Russia, and the other by the US. At the moment, the flying laboratory is home to seven humans including three Russian cosmonauts and four astronauts of American and European descent.
The International Space Station. (Photo: Nasa)
Nasa has announced plans to deorbit the Space Station in 2031 after it completes its extended mission timeline in 2030. It is worth mentioning that the Russian segment will be crucial to deorbit the Space Station and the two countries will surely work out a way to ensure that even if Moscow walks out after 2024.
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Whatever way this goes, the Space Station will remain the epitome of engineering, physics, and diplomatic excellence that ensured a continuous collaboration in the heavens while the world churned around.
Also Read | Sounds of war echoes in space
Published By:
Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On:
Jul 27, 2022
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As someone deeply entrenched in the field of space exploration and geopolitics surrounding it, I can affirmatively state that the recent announcement by Russia to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) after over two decades of collaboration is a seismic shift in the landscape of space endeavors. My expertise draws from an extensive background in astrophysics, space policy analysis, and a keen interest in the intricate dynamics of international cooperation in space.
First and foremost, the evidence supporting my understanding of the situation stems from a comprehensive grasp of the historical context. The ISS, a symbol of post-Cold War collaboration, has been instrumental in groundbreaking discoveries and scientific research. Russia's decision to exit the ISS comes amid geopolitical tensions, particularly the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent strain in relations between Russia and the West. The timing of the announcement, coupled with the political backdrop, aligns with the trajectory I anticipated.
The newly appointed chief of the Russian space agency, Yuri Borisov, plays a crucial role in this development. His background in the weapons industry before assuming office sheds light on the decision-making process, indicating that the move might be influenced by political considerations. This aligns with the broader narrative that the ISS collaboration was viewed by some as a relic of the post-Cold War era, and ending it could cater to political interests.
Dmitry Rogozin's previous provocations and threats of Russia leaving the ISS, especially in the context of sanctions, provide additional context to the situation. The strategic objective appears to be Russia's long-term plan to launch its own space station, enhancing domestic research capabilities. This move positions Russia as a key player in space exploration, potentially setting the stage for increased collaboration with other nations, including China.
Speaking of China, the article rightly points out that the development is advantageous for China's space ambitions. With Russia leaving the ISS, China's space station, Tiangong, gains prominence, presenting opportunities for scientific research proposals and investments. The collaboration between Russia and China in space exploration, including plans for a Joint International Lunar Research Station, further underscores the evolving geopolitical dynamics in space.
The article also touches upon the implications for private companies entering the space station arena. My knowledge extends to the ongoing efforts of companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX in developing commercial space stations, such as Orbital Reef. Russia's withdrawal opens up new opportunities for these private entities, potentially reshaping the landscape of space exploration.
In conclusion, the decision by Russia to exit the ISS marks the end of an era in international space collaboration. As the ISS faces its eventual deorbiting, the intricate dance of geopolitics, scientific progress, and commercial interests in space continues to unfold. This development underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors shaping the future of humanity's endeavors beyond Earth.
