Russia published a video confirming its departure from the International Space Station (ISS), further heightening tensions in space cooperation.The footage circulated on social media with reports claiming the Russian government-owned media source uploaded it on a messaging application.
Russia's space agency Roscosmos has prohibited collaboration with all other major space agencies in response to the sanctions placed on it for invading Ukraine. .
IN SPACE - SEPTEMBER 17: In this handout photo provided by NASA, This view of the International Space Station over a blue and white Earth was taken shortly after the Space Shuttle Atlantis undocked from the orbital outpost at 7:50 a.m. CDT. The unlinking completed six days, two hours and two minutes of joint operations with the station crew. Atlantis left the station with a new, second pair of 240-foot solar wings, attached to a new 17.5-ton section of truss with batteries, electronics and a giant rotating joint. The new solar arrays eventually will double the station's onboard power when their electrical systems are brought online during the next shuttle flight, planned for launch in December.
Russia 'Officially' Walks Out Of ISS
According to Boing Boing, Russia's RIA Novosti (RIAN) state-owned news agency aired a video showing Russia exiting the International Space Station.
Universe Today likewise confirmed that the Russian official news agency released a video showing Russian cosmonauts packing up and removing the Russian component from the orbiting station.
Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging network that was previously limited in Russia, hosted the video (it was officially unblocked in June 2020).
The clip features cosmonauts entering the Russian part of the International Space Station, locking the hatches behind them, and bidding farewell to NASA astronaut Col. Mark T. Vande Hei, the Flight Engineer for Expeditions 64 and 65.
Dmitry Rogozin, the chairman of Roscosmos, tweeted the following comment on the same day that NASA Watch shared the video:
"The blame for the collapse of cooperation in space lies on the shoulders of the United States, Britain, France and Germany. These countries destroyed what was created by mankind with such difficulty, what was created by the blood and sweat of those people who mastered space."
(DISCLAIMER: The above quote is a Google translation of Russian tweet.)
This resembled remarks he made in a Russian state television appearance (the clip was included in the tweet). It was echoed by a series of words and acts by Rogozin in recent weeks, all of which looked to illustrate how Russia may endanger or interfere with ISS operations.
It all started when Rogozin tweeted his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and threatened to pull out of the International Space Station.
What Happens Now That Roscosmos is Out Of Orbit?
Joanne Gabrynowicz, a space law specialist, told Quartz that Russia should follow certain procedures if Roscosmos decides to depart the International Space Station.
For example, Russia needs the approval of other space agencies involved in the ISS. The ISS, however, will survive if Russia truly disconnects its space laboratories from the station.
Despite the Russian components, the massive space laboratory will continue in orbit, according to space scientists. However, getting back on track will cost money and time.
Russian rockets are now responsible for maintaining the ISS in orbit. Meanwhile, the United States supplies the International Space Station with electrical and stability control.
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