RE: How war in Ukraine is already impacting space international cooperation
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Thanks for this excellent summary of the situation. I was completely unaware of all the possibilities for the ISS. It is clear than delays have to be expected with any plan B, but it is relieving to read that plans B do exist.
Science is however acting together at the present time, and not only its space branch. Many discussions are on-going and announcements are made one after the other.
As scientists we represent our institutions and thus the country in which we are based. Taking this into account, it becomes clear why official cooperation with Russian institutes should stop for now. However, Russian scientists are our friends and amongst the first ones to oppose themselves to the regime (with artists, athletes and many visible personalities). For this reason, it is important to maintain private links.
This is what I decided to follow as a guide. The "business as usual" model is not sustainable in current conditions.
They are Plan Bs that were never thought to be implemented in a rush. This can precipitate a controlled decommissioning even though the US had intentions on start their commercial space station programme with new modules and missions. Their biggest concern would probably be that the companies preparing projects for a commercial space station are not yet ready to provide the service, so I would not be surprised if they push to make it survive at any cost.
Completely agree with which should be our positions. I personally have worked with Russian people that understands this situation, but are also scared if this could create an environment of personal mistrust and a general phobia to the individual Russian, that we cannot mistake for the institutions.
That is true. The "rushy" part is definitely a problem as it is always easier when we can plan things in advance.
On a different but related topic, I was also wondering about the fate of the Russian cosmonauts inside the station. At some point, they need to be fed (basic needs always come back quickly), and Russia will have to bring them back to Earth. How would this work in such a context? Would they be sacrificed (hopefully not!). Do you have some insights?
Cheers!
That may be easier than expected. There is always enough capacity for evacuating everyone in the ISS. During lots of years, specially after the Shuttle program was cancelled this service was only provided by the Soyuz capsules. If I am not wrong, now there would be a Soyuz (with 3 seats) and a Crew Dragon (with 4 seats) parked in the ISS. And there are currently 2 Russians, 1 German and 4 US citizens. Current plan was that one of the Americans is returning on a Russian capsule with the 2 Russians. Apparently the plan is still that Mark Vande Hei will return in the Soyuz on April as originally planned.
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/84825/this-nasa-astronaut-is-still-due-to-return-home-on-russian-rocket/index.html
Thanks for these pieces of information. I didn't know. So yeah, in principle this won't be a problem at all.
Of course, I should have known capsules were up there, ready to move down...
Have a nice evening!
It would be scary to be there knowing you cannot come back fast if something happens or you have a medical emergency! But it happens everyday to people in boats amd submarines for example.
Thanks to you for the chat! No problem at all. Nice evening!
Well.. news on the ISS front are that it looks like the plan is to continue operations as normal and for the US astronaut to return with in the Russian spacecraft. However -and during the same press conference- other people interprets opennes to increase the flexibility of the ISS operations if it were required. I want to understand that there is a will to keep peaceful cooperation in space with Russia as a diplomatic point of contact (as it happened even during the Cold War)
That would indeed be really great to use the ISS as a landmark for peace... Let's see what will happen (there is nothing much we can do with this respect).