NASA chief says Russia leaving ISS could kick off a space race

[Nevilledog]

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CNN
@CNN
Russian officials are threatening to pull out of the International Space Station as soon as 2024 in favor of operating an independent space station.

"If Russia pulls out," NASA chief Bill Nelson put simply, "it would not be good."

NASA chief says Russia leaving ISS could kick off a space race
cnn.com
2:00 PM · Jun 4, 2021

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/04/tech/nasa-russia-space-race-scn/index.html

New York (CNN Business) — The United States has for decades enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia that has often served as a powerful symbol of cooperation between the East and West in the post-Cold War era. But that cooperation could soon dissolve, and it has NASA's new chief, Bill Nelson, concerned.

Russian officials are threatening to pull out of the International Space Station, the orbiting laboratory that the US and Russia have jointly operated for two decades, as soon as 2024 in favor of operating an independent space station. Meanwhile, Nelson and the US government want to continue the ISS program through at least 2030.

"If Russia pulls out," Nelson put simply, "it would not be good."

Adding to the complexity of US-Russia relations is the fact that Russia has signaled that it's willing to cooperate closely with China on plans for deep space exploration. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year to explore establishing a joint lunar base, while geopolitical tensions between the US and Russia and China are in deep crisis over human rights abuses, cyberattacks and a range of other issues.

NASA is also forbidden from opening up conversations with China about potential bilateral coordination because of the Wolf Amendment, a 2011 law that bans the US space agency from engaging in such discussions unless explicitly approved by the FBI or Congress.


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[Irish_Dem]

1. Of course humans will fight in space, just like they fight on Earth.

Why would it be any different?

[Klaralven]

2. Since ISS has been operating for two decades, what more can be accomplished in another decade?

[Bucky]

3. Honestly, a little more competition in the drive to space...

... could be a good thing, I'd sure like to see some competition over developing green energy technologies

[NickB79]

4. Does anyone believe the Russians still have the financial ability to do so?

They're a paper tiger. If it weren't for the legacy of the Soviet Union, they'd be damn near a Third World country.

Their Navy is rusting and their infrastructure is crumbling. A few oligarchs are insanely wealthy, but the rest of the country is crumbling.

[Johonny]

5. No, Russia space wise is rapidly falling behind the Chinese

the real space race is with them.