The first module of the new Russian Space Station will be ready by 2025. This was announced by the head of State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS, Dmitry Rogozin. Prior to that, Russia announced its withdrawal from the ISS project and the creation of its own orbital complex.
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“The first base module for the new Russian space service station is already in operation. The Rocket and Space Corporation Energia has been tasked with ensuring its readiness for launch into the target orbit in 2025,” said Rogozin.
The video, which Rogozin shared on his Telegram channel, features a model of the sealed compartment of the scientific and energy module. Presumably, it was developed for the ISS, and now it will be used at the new Russian station.
The need for the project was justified by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov: "We need to climb higher - into a high-latitude orbit, this will allow us to see the Russian territory as much as possible, especially, which is very important, the polar regions, and this is also connected with the development of the Northern Sea Route."
Another purpose of the complex is to provide a base for long-distance flights: "The station is very seriously considered as a kind of intermediate point for flights and exploration of the Moon and lunar space."
Prior to that, Borisov warned partners that Russia was withdrawing from the ISS project. The reason is the state of the station. “We can't risk the lives [of our cosmonauts]. The situation that today is connected to the structure and the metal getting old, it can lead to irreversible consequences - to catastrophe. We mustn't let that happen,” the Deputy Prime Minister warned.
Russia would construct the new space station by itself, he said, while appearing to hold out the possibility of other countries taking part. "We'll definitely [take partners], but we'll manage by ourselves," he told Rossiya 1 TV.
Pilot-cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin offered his explanation of why Russia is leaving the ISS: “The first problem is age. At one time, life tests were carried out at the Mir station. It flew in space for over 15 years, which allowed all partners to clearly understand that the ISS had the right to exist in space until 2015. The first figure to which we had to operate the station is 2015." He continues, The next thing is that if earlier the crews were integrated (Russian specialists could work on the American segment, American - on the Russian), then on subsequent expeditions we were operators on the American segment, then each began to work on his own segment. We had a reduction in the crew - now there are only two Russians on board. During this time, the Americans have increased the number of their crew to five people. "
Russia's share of the ISS is about 25%. However, calculations are complicated by the fact that they are carried out in dollars. The real contribution of the country to the station is incomparably greater.
The International Space Station (ISS) was launched in 1998 by the Russian and US space agencies and has been hailed for its exemplary cooperation involving numerous countries.
The Russian space module, being assembled by the Energia corporation, is set to cost at least $5 billion, Interfax news agency reports.
