Russia and US Prolong ISS Collaboration Until End of Decade

Russia's space chief, Dmitry Bakanov, has visited the United States to discuss plans for continued cooperation between Moscow and Washington on the International Space Station (ISS) and lunar research with NASA. The visit marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries in over seven years.

Bakanov met with NASA's acting administrator, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, during his visit to attend the planned launch of a U.S.-Japanese-Russian crew to the ISS. The launch was delayed due to weather and is now scheduled for Friday.

The meeting focused on "further work on the International Space Station, cooperation on lunar programs, joint exploration of deep space, and continued cooperation on other space projects," according to Roscosmos.

Roscosmos and NASA had previously cooperated on the ISS and other projects, but tensions rose after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. Despite this, the two countries have continued to work together, with U.S. and Russian crews flying to the orbiting outpost on each country's spacecraft.

However, plans for broader cooperation, including possible Russian involvement in NASA's Artemis program of lunar research, have fallen apart. Instead, Roscosmos has started cooperating with China on its prospective lunar mission, as Russia has become increasingly reliant on China for energy exports and key technology amid Western sanctions.

Speaking to Russian reporters after the meeting, Bakanov said that he and Duffy agreed to keep working on keeping the ISS in operation until the end of the decade. He praised Duffy for giving his blessing for continued contacts "despite geopolitical tensions."

Bakanov added that he will report the results of the meeting to Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to secure their blessing for potential space cooperation.

"In view of the difficult geopolitical situation, we will need to receive the necessary clearance from the leaders of our countries," Bakanov said. "I will put my efforts into keeping the channel of cooperation between Russia and the U.S. open, and I expect NASA to do the same."