Space

Roscosmos Suggests the ISS Could Fall Into the US or Europe After Global Sanctions on Russia

“Who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit?”

Published

4 years ago

February 26, 2022

The head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, threatened the US and Europe as a result of global sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying, “If you block cooperation with us, who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States or Europe?”

Dmitry Rogozin’s statement about the International Space Station comes after the US President Joe Biden’s remarks on the sanctions. “It will degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program,” Biden said in a White House speech concerning a new package of sanctions towards Moscow.

Roscosmos’ statement on the ISS

Rogozin did not only point out the US and Europe but also two Asian countries. “There is also the option of dropping a 500-ton structure to India and China,” he said.

He reminded that the station’s orbit is adjusted by the engines of the Russian Progress-MS cargo ships. “The ISS does not fly over Russia, therefore all the risks are yours. Are you ready for them?” reads his tweet.

The ISS is currently hosting two cosmonauts from Russia as well as four NASA astronauts and one European astronaut, according to Euronews.

The head of Roscosmos also warned that sanctions that will be imposed by Washington could ‘destroy’ the partnership aboard the ISS.

As Ukraine tensions are on the rise, NASA made a statement that works with international partners including Roscosmos in addition to Japan, Europe, and Canada are on its way to ensure the safety of ISS operations.

“The new export control measures will continue to allow US-Russia civil space cooperation,” said the statement. “No changes are planned to the agency’s support for ongoing in orbit and ground station operations. The new export control measures will continue to allow US-Russia civil space cooperation”.

The International Space Station orbits at approximately 400 kilometers in space. To know what will happen to the station by 2031, you can read this piece.