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Russia will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024 and focus on building its orbiting outpost, the country’s new space chief said
International Space Station
- The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest modular space station currently in low Earth orbit.
- It is an international collaborative project involving five participating space agencies:
- NASA (United States)
- Roscosmos (Russia)
- JAXA (Japan)
- ESA (Europe)
- CSA (Canada).
What does the International Space Station do?
- It is like a giant laboratory in space and allows astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks or months to carry out experiments in microgravity.
- Scientific research is also conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields.
- The ISS is suited for testing the spacecraft systems and equipment required for possible future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
Who owns the station?
- Intergovernmental treaties and agreements establish the ownership and use of the space station.
- The station is divided into two sections: the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) is operated by Russia. At the same time, the United States Orbital Segment (USOS) is run by the United States and the other states.
Why did Russia Quit the space station?
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, continued cooperation between Russia and other countries on the International Space Station has not been on good terms due to several sanctions imposed on Russia.
- Russia’s plan for a new space station
- Russian officials have long talked about their desire to launch their space station and have complained about the wear and tear on the ageing ISS equipment and growing safety risks.
- Russia-US rivalries
- Relations between Russia and the US have been steadily deteriorating on multiple fronts, with the two powers always accusing each other of militarising space.
- The shift in Space vehicle
- US has started using the SpaceX system, developed by Elon Musk, to transport astronauts to the ISS.
- Russian transport vehicle served as the only way for transporting astronauts ever since the US retired its Space Shuttle Program in 2011.
Effects of Quitting
- Russia controls the space station’s propulsion control systems, which provide regular boosts that keep the ISS upright and prevent the station from falling out of orbit.
- Without Russia, it would not be easy to handle by the US
- Russia’s decision is concerning and serves as a stark warning that the future of space may not be as collaborative as it once was.
- After quitting, ISS should not be allowed to fly over Russia
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu