Backdropped by the blackness of space, the International Space Station is seen in this image taken by a crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. (Photo : Reuters)
Numerous reports from Russia are suggesting that the space officials in Moscow are having formal talks with their NASA counterparts regarding the building of a brand new space station following 2024's end of the current run.
The reports came after Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator, and Igor Komarov, Federal Space Agency head in Russia, had discussions about the timed launch of three crew members towards the International Space Station right from the Baikonur Cosmodrome- a Russia's station in Kazakhstan, the NBC News reported.
Komarov was quoted to have said that Russia and the United States would commence work on a brand new space station. "It will be an open project. It will feature not only the current members of the ISS," the Vesti.ru shared.
The NASA Administrator's comments did not confirm anything. It merely acknowledged that the current space station will, someday, wear out. Also, he said that there have been discussions regarding what will happen next. "There are some areas that are better-suited to commercial companies," Bolden said.
Dmitri Rogozin, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, is in-charge of the country's space program. Recently, he tweeted that the government he is representing will assess the results of these closed-door meetings. Also, he revealed that a very important decision will soon come-out.
In 2014, Rogozin threatened to veto a possible orbital lifetime extension of the space station. In February, the space officials in Russia signaled that they are positive for a "go" to extend beyond 2024. However, may actually separate the modules from all other space station materials and assemble them to come-up with an orbital outpost that's all Russian.
