Russia’s space chief says the country will opt out of the International Space Station after 2024 and focus on building its own orbiting outpost.
“The decision to leave the station after 2024 has been made,” Borisov said, adding: “I think that by that time we will start forming a Russian orbiting station.”Borisov's statement reaffirmed previous declarations by Russian space officials about Moscow's intention to leave the space station after 2024 when the current international arrangements for its operation end.
The Russian announcement is certain to stir speculation that it is part of Moscow’s maneuvering to win relief from Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. Borisov’s predecessor, Dmitry Rogozin, said last month that Moscow could take part in negotiations about a possible extension of the station’s operations only if the U.S. lifts its sanctions against Russian space industries.
It typically has a crew of seven, who spend months at a time aboard the station as it orbits about 260 miles above Earth. Three Russians, three Americans and one Italian are now on board. “I believe Russia will stay as long as they can afford to as without ISS they have no human spaceflight program," he said. “Cooperation with the West also shows some amount of legitimacy to other non-aligned nations and to their own people, which Putin needs as the war in Ukraine has damaged his credibility.”
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