The country could launch its own space station soon.
Crossing over
Russia could soon give up the aging of the International Space Station – to focus on launching and populating its own space station, according to new reports.
Senior Russian officials have not verified the reports, but Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov has announced that Russia may soon decide whether sending cosmonauts to the space outpost is no longer worthwhile. The Moscow Times reports.
“We need a technical inspection at the station to avoid any risks in case of emergency,” Borisov said. Tasse, translated from The Moscow Times. “We will make a decision based on the results and honestly announce our partners.”
Inspection
The ISS has been continuously busy for more than 20 years and is starting to show its age, with occasional leaks requiring patches and cracked windows.
In December, the United States Congress passed a law authorizing NASA to extend the life of the station from 2024 to 2030, despite its deteriorating condition.
Russian Space Station
The news comes as Russia prepares plans to launch its own space station as an independent Russian news agency Interfax reported over the weekend – but details are still scarce, with the exception of reports that the station could cost up to $ 6 billion.
“We have a deadline for 2024 agreed with our ISS partners,” reads a press release from the Russian space agency Roscosmos, quoted by Interfax. “After this period, the decision will be made based on the technical condition of the station modules, which have practically established their lifespan, as well as our plans to implement a new generation of national orbital service station.”
Russia has previously declined offers to join NASA’s plans to develop Gateway, a small space station orbiting the moon. Instead, Russia has chosen to partner with China, signing an agreement to build an “International Scientific Lunar Station” in lunar orbit in March.
READ MORE: Russia will leave the International Space Station in 2025 – Reports [The Moscow Times]
More about Russia’s space efforts: Russia plans a monthly landing later this year
As a reader of futurism, we invite you to join Singularity Global Community, our parent company’s forum to discuss futuristic science and technology with like-minded people around the world. It’s free to sign up, sign up now!