NASA Announces Continued US-Russia Collaboration on International Space Station

The collaboration between the United States and Russia at the International Space Station (ISS) remains unchanged, and "professional relationships continue," despite the situation in Ukraine affecting everything, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in an interview with the Japanese Nikkei newspaper.

Specifically, the head of the U.S. space department noted that the Russian military actions in Ukraine have "changed everything." However, he stated, "The collaboration between the U.S. and Russia on this matter remains unchanged. Our professional relationships continue," as quoted by the newspaper.

Previously, the NASA administrator had already announced that cooperation with Russia in space is very important, as the Russian side helps the U.S. support the operation of the station. He also expressed hope that "Russia will be a partner in the International Space Station program until 2030." Earlier, NASA decided to extend the U.S. participation in the ISS project until 2030, a similar initiative supported by the European Space Agency and Japan. Russia has so far approved the use of the ISS until 2024, but in September, the new head of Roskosmos, Yuri Borisov, stated that Russia will most likely use the ISS until 2028.