Russia left most of its credibility behind when it sent its armed forces into Ukraine. Russia's credibility is in tatters as it lurches towards pariah status. When you unleash your military on your peaceful neighbour and when the body count grows alongside the rubble piles that used to be Ukrainian cities, that's what happens.
Russia is threatening to end its participation in the International Space Station over economic sanctions. Will they end their involvement in the space station? Does anyone still care? Does anyone want them to leave? Will there be a line-up of diplomats asking them to reconsider?
Russia may be low-hanging fruit in western media right now, but the Russian government's public statements still deserve scrutiny. The rest of the world no longer gets to enjoy Russia's involvement when it comes to the International Space Station, according to some reports. Russia has been saying this for a while now, and maybe this time they mean it.
The head of the Russian Space Agency is threatening to abandon the International Space Station. Russian politics and its leader, Vladimir Putin, are deeply embedded with Rogozin. Russia's ambassador to NATO was once the deputy prime minister of Russia and in charge of the defence industry. He speaks in concert with Putin and his regime when he speaks.
The European Space Agency is no longer working with Russia. Germany will no longer cooperate with Russia in the e-ROSITA mission. Commercial customers have stopped using the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Russia does not want to sell rocket engines. Russia's attack on Ukraine has made a mess of space activities. Will the same thing happen to the International Space Station?
Russia's threats over the International Space Station go back to shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, in response to the West's sanctions on Russia. Mark Vande Hei was scheduled to return to Earth with two Russian cosmonauts after Russia launched its attack on Ukraine. At the time, NASA dismissed any specific concerns about astronauts and cosmonauts on the ISS. Vande Hei and the cosmonauts returned to Earth without incident.
In late April, Dimitry Rogozin made a statement about abandoning the ISS. The decision has been made and we are not obliged to talk about it publicly. In accordance with our obligations, we will inform our partners about the end of our work on the International Space Station with a year's notice.
Russia and the USA are the primary partners of the International Space Station. They're political rivals but have a long relationship over the International Space Station. There has been tension between the two nations in the past, and the ISS has been a bit of a rhetorical football. Is this the latest chapter in the political saga?
Bill Nelson doesn't seem overly concerned. Nelson said in an interview with CNBC that the astronauts and the cosmonauts are getting along. The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan will be the site of the launch of three cosmonauts to the International Space Station. The cooperation in civil space, as opposed to military space, continues, and we expect it to continue.
The tension between Russia, the USA, and the ISS has nothing to do with Russian cosmonauts themselves or any of the scientific, engineering, or other professional personnel at Roscosmos. This appears to be a political statement from the man who is a Putin spokesman.
Nelson told the Associated Press that it was just Dmitry Rogozin. He spouts off. He worked with us at the end of the day. The other people in the Russian space program are professional. They keep up with us, American astronauts and American mission control.
It's worth digging deeper, like many statements coming from Russia these days. Russia is going to be finished with the International Space Station soon. The current agreement to run the International Space Station ends in 2024. Even though all they have to do is not be part of the next agreement, Rogozin gets to hint at leaving the station. Russia's threat to leave the International Space Station might not be that much of a threat.
Russia doesn't seem to have a lot of room left to maneuver. NASA relied on Russia's Soyuz to transport astronauts back and forth to the International Space Station when the US retired the space shuttles in 2011. The crew can be transported back and forth between Earth and the International Space Station. Where does that leave Russia?
The United States Orbital segment and the Russian Orbital segment are the primary modules of the International Space Station. Guidance, Control, and navigation are the responsibility of the ROS. The US wants to continue operating the International Space Station until at least 2030.
Part of Putin's legitimacy rises from Russia's international status. Russia's international status is influenced by the Russian space program. Can they afford to abandon the space station?
Does anyone still care? Is Russia only threatening to make itself a pariah by isolating itself?
At some point, this war will end. All wars happen. Will NASA and other space agencies welcome Russia back with open arms when it comes to cooperation in space?
Russian threats don't seem to carry much weight right now. Their word doesn't mean much since they keep agreeing to civilians being evacuated in Ukraine.
Musk is one of the people who have faced Russian threats. Reports say that Musk made his technology available to the Ukrainians.
Musk brushed off the threats.
If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2022
The rest of the world might just move on without Russia. Musk isn't bothered by the threats.
The threats and back and forth in the media are accompanied by more than just words. Russia's armed forces are killing Ukrainian civilians in a wanton display of aggression and disdain and there seems to be no end in sight.
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