Roscosmos

ESA ends cooperation with Russia on lunar missions
ESA announced April 13 it was further cutting ties with Russia by dropping plans to cooperate on a series of lunar missions, turning instead to NASA and other agencies.

Rogozin delays decision on space station future
After Western nations refused his demand to end sanctions on Russian companies involved in the International Space Station, the head of Roscosmos said he will make recommendations in the “near future” on Russia’s continued participation in the station, but there are no signs of any near-term changes in station operations.

NASA still working with Russia on ISS seat barter agreement
NASA officials say they are still hopeful to complete a seat barter agreement with Russia in time to allow an exchange of seats on missions this fall despite the tensions between Russia and the West.

Soyuz returns astronaut and cosmonauts from space station
A Soyuz spacecraft carrying an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts landed in Kazakhstan March 30, an ordinary end of a mission in extraordinary times.

Space station operations remain normal despite geopolitical tensions
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not affected operations of the International Space Station or plans for a NASA astronaut to return home on a Soyuz spacecraft late this month, according to agency officials.

U.S. Air Force sees no impact from Russia’s decision to cut off supply of rocket engines
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said U.S. national security launches will not be affected by Russia’s decision to stop supplying rocket engines to the United States.

Roscosmos head again questions future of ISS while NASA emphasizes cooperation
The head of Roscosmos has renewed threats to terminate Russian participation in the International Space Station even as NASA says operations on the station remain normal.

Russia looks to China for collaboration in space but faces isolation over Ukraine invasion
Roscosmos is looking to China as a supplier of components and a partner in missions following the invasion of Ukraine, but sanctions could still heavily impact any new plans.

ESA says it’s “very unlikely” ExoMars will launch this year
The European Space Agency said Feb. 28 that it is “very unlikely” that its ExoMars mission will launch this September because of sanctions on Russia from its invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. and Europe say space cooperation with Russia not affected yet by Ukraine crisis
American and European officials said Feb. 23 that space cooperation with Russia remains unaffected even as that country continues to threaten a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian cosmonaut secures U.S. visa after initial denial
A Russian cosmonaut has received a visa to come to the United States for routine space station training after initially having his application rejected, an incident that’s raised questions about how increased tensions over Ukraine might affect space.

Other ISS partners start planning for extension to 2030
The White House’s decision to extend operations of the International Space Station through the end of the decade is a “trigger” for other partners to make their own plans to continue participation in the station.


White House commits to ISS extension
The Biden administration formally supports extending operations of the International Space Station through the end of the decade, an announcement that is neither surprising nor addresses how to get all the station’s partners, notably Russia, to agree on the station’s future.

Roscosmos selects first cosmonaut for commercial crew flights
The head of Roscosmos announced Dec. 8 that the agency has selected the first cosmonaut to go on a SpaceX commercial crew mission to the International Space Station, although a seat barter agreement between NASA and Roscosmos is still being finalized.

Russian node module docks with ISS
A node module billed as the final Russian element of the International Space Station docked with the station Nov. 26.

Nelson and Rogozin talk about ASAT test
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson spoke with his Russian counterpart a day after a Russian antisatellite test, as others in the Russian government dismissed the threat to space sustainability that test created.

Rogozin says Crew Dragon safe for Russian cosmonauts
The head of Roscosmos says he is now satisfied that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is safe enough to carry Russian cosmonauts, clearing a major obstacle for an agreement to exchange seats between Soyuz and commercial crew vehicles.

Space agencies support ISS extension as NASA warns of space race with China
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with China.

New details of Russian “movie in space” emerge as producers seek funding
New information has emerged about the Russian movie “The Challenge” planned to be filmed partly on the International Space Station in October.