Image – Roscosmos
As reported by TASS, in a surprise move, Russia and Roscosmos have agreed to join partner nations in an extension of International Space Station operations. Specifically, Russia agreed to an extension to 2028. With Russian assets currently impounded at Baikonur, some resolution to that situation can be expected.
As previously reported, Russia only launches crewed missions to the ISS from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. There have been no known launches from Baikonur since Kazakh authorities impounded Russia’s space assets at the site. Therefore, some resolution to this issue is likely underway.
In order to maintain operations to the ISS, the station needs supplies and crews, which Russia and other nations currently accommodate. Previously, Russia only agreed to extend operations to next year. Although other nations have agreed to a 2030 extension, Russia’s continued commitment to 2028 means that it will be a partner to nearly the end of the ISS’s lifetime.
The ISS carries out basic research and scientific experiments in the fields of Earth science, medicine, astronomy, space physics, and solar studies. The ISS has also become a platform to test new technologies in space and for deploying Smallsats into low-Earth orbit. The ISS was once the only space station in orbit; however, China has joined this club with its space station Tiangong.
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Carter Palmer has long held a keen interest in military matters and aviation. As an analyst for Industrial & Marine Turbine Forecast, Carter specializes in examining key gas turbine programs for electrical power generation, mechanical drive, and marine propulsion applications. He is also responsible for updating the reports and analyses within the Space Systems Forecast – Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms and Space Systems Forecast – Satellites & Spacecraft products.
