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The Russian space agency is reportedly considering construction of a high-altitude orbital station starting from 2017. This means that Moscow may walk away from the ISS after 2020, when its obligations under the current project are fulfilled.
Kommersant newspaper reported that the manned space exploration program for the period until 2050 implies step-by-step assembly of a new scientific space station, citing its sources in Central Research Institute for Engineering Technology, Roscosmos space agency’s leading space scientific and research enterprise.
The principal difference from the currently operating International Space Station will be the new Russian station’s high-altitude orbit with a 64.8-degree inclination, which would make up to 90 percent of the Russian territory visible from on board, including Arctic shelf seas.
From the ISS, which has an orbit inclination of 51.6 degrees, no more than 5 percent of the Russian territory is currently visible.
Additionally, the new station will be better positioned for manned flights from Russia’s under-construction Vostochny Cosmodrome, which will see the first rocket launch in the end of 2015.
originally posted by: pikestaff
China and India will, perhaps, start building their own stations eventually, even the EU! more work for the space industry, especially that new UK space plane!
originally posted by: eriktheawful
I don't really see how this is a "Cold War" thing at all.
Russia does not have to stay with the ISS past 2020. They have an interest in building their own station in an orbit that will allow them to view their country and surrounding areas better.
You're not going to move the ISS very easily to do that.
A "Cold War" thing would be more along the lines of: Russia abandons the ISS prior to 2020, or were to take it over and refuse anyone else the use of it.
originally posted by: Walsh
originally posted by: eriktheawful
I don't really see how this is a "Cold War" thing at all.
Russia does not have to stay with the ISS past 2020. They have an interest in building their own station in an orbit that will allow them to view their country and surrounding areas better.
You're not going to move the ISS very easily to do that.
A "Cold War" thing would be more along the lines of: Russia abandons the ISS prior to 2020, or were to take it over and refuse anyone else the use of it.
guess you have not been keeping up with the current BS between Russia and the US ?
a simple google search should suffice.. just saying
originally posted by: thesaneone
a reply to: Walsh
You do know that Russia has been talking about this since 2009 right? Just saying.