The United States and Russia created the International Space Station (ISS) and have worked together for decades to keep it in orbit. However, since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, that collaboration has become increasingly tense.
- Despite this, cooperation on the space station has endured, according to Zhanna Malekos Smith, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and assistant professor at West Point.
- However, Smith said Russia has only completed its technical analysis for the lifespan of the ISS through 2024 (other partners have completed theirs through 2028), and it is unclear whether this will be extended.
- Russian leaders released a “sardonic” video earlier this year showing the Russian segment decoupling from the ISS, said Smith.
Watch the full interview for more:
Astronaut Bob Hines replaces components inside the Combustion Integrated Rack (Photo from NASA)
The ISS Progress 79 resupply ship is pictured 261 miles above the Pacific Ocean after undocking from the Zvezda service module (Photo from NASA)
