In the wake of the conflict in Ukraine and the worsening of its relationships with Western nations, Russia has indicated its intent to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS). Instead, Russia is planning to establish its own independent space station in Earth’s orbit for the purpose of continuing microgravity experiments. Currently, China is the sole country operating its own space station in the world.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia’s plan to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with a new space station should see its first segment placed into orbit by 2027, despite recent challenges. Russia had previously made its intention to withdraw from the ISS public, a space station where its cosmonauts are consistently stationed, and where the nation plays a crucial role.
The primary focus for Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, has now shifted to the development of a new Russian orbital space station. Putin emphasized the objective of ensuring a seamless transition without any gaps, with the work keeping pace with the depletion of the ISS’s resources. He made this statement during a televised meeting with specialists from the space sector.
The president declared that the first segment should be placed into orbit by 2027, urging for timely execution of the plan. Russia’s space industry, which has traditionally been a source of national pride, has faced long-standing funding issues, as well as corruption scandals and various setbacks. Notably, in August, Russia experienced a major embarrassment when its Luna-25 spacecraft crashed onto the Moon’s surface due to an incident during pre-landing maneuvers. This marked Moscow’s first mission to Earth’s natural satellite since 1976.
“Mistakes are inevitable in such a complex endeavor. It’s regrettable, and it represents a negative experience, but we will leverage it in the future to prevent similar errors,” stated Putin, underscoring his commitment to ongoing lunar missions. The President also called on those responsible for the sector to address the issue of low salaries in Russia’s space industry and to actively seek the participation of foreign experts and increased involvement from the private sector.
The International Space Station (ISS), a notable example of international collaboration primarily between the United States and Russia, was initiated in 1988 and was initially scheduled for decommissioning in 2024. However, according to NASA’s estimates, the ISS can remain operational until 2030.
