Russia is threatening to leave the International Space Station. Why?
But would it ever really do that?
BY JAKE DEAN
JULY 09, 20211:16 PM
A rocket ignites and takes off above a spattering of metal launch equipment.
The Soyuz MS-18 rocket is launched to the ISS with the Expedition 65 crew in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images
In-orbit real estate is becoming a little more cluttered. Back in 2019, India announced that it would not join the International Space Station—instead, it would build and launch its own orbital laboratory. In mid-June, China successfully launched astronauts to their new space station. And throughout 2021, the Russian government has threatened to do the same.
Russia has been a critical part of the ISS since its inception. The first segment of the ISS was Russian and was launched aboard a Russian proton rocket in 1998. Two-thirds of the Expedition 1 crew—the first team to reside in the ISS—was Russian. The agreement initially governing the ISS left Russia in charge of key altitude control capabilities, some life support modules, and the on-orbit shelter. Russia has also historically provided half of the station’s crew. The station itself is also separated into two main segments: one for Russia and one for the U.S. and the other partners. And in a more abstract sense, the ISS has provided a rather stable outlet for cooperation between the U.S. and Russia even during particularly tense periods.
slate.com
But would it ever really do that?
BY JAKE DEAN
JULY 09, 20211:16 PM
A rocket ignites and takes off above a spattering of metal launch equipment.
The Soyuz MS-18 rocket is launched to the ISS with the Expedition 65 crew in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images
In-orbit real estate is becoming a little more cluttered. Back in 2019, India announced that it would not join the International Space Station—instead, it would build and launch its own orbital laboratory. In mid-June, China successfully launched astronauts to their new space station. And throughout 2021, the Russian government has threatened to do the same.
Russia has been a critical part of the ISS since its inception. The first segment of the ISS was Russian and was launched aboard a Russian proton rocket in 1998. Two-thirds of the Expedition 1 crew—the first team to reside in the ISS—was Russian. The agreement initially governing the ISS left Russia in charge of key altitude control capabilities, some life support modules, and the on-orbit shelter. Russia has also historically provided half of the station’s crew. The station itself is also separated into two main segments: one for Russia and one for the U.S. and the other partners. And in a more abstract sense, the ISS has provided a rather stable outlet for cooperation between the U.S. and Russia even during particularly tense periods.
Russia Is Threatening to Leave the International Space Station. Why?
Will Russia ever follow through on this threat?
slate.com