Russia's national space agency Roscosmos unveiled a model of the new space station, dubbed "ROSS" by Russian state media, at "Army-2022," a military-industrial exhibition near Moscow. On that occasion, they suggested that Moscow was serious about leaving the International Space Station (ISS).
Numerous sanctions imposed on Russia caused by the "special military operation", as Moscow calls it, in Ukraine have led to a historic break with the West. Russia aims to reduce its dependence on Western nations and progress alone or cooperate with countries such as China and Iran, Reuters reports.
Yuri Borisov, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin last month to head Roscosmos, said Russia will leave the ISS after 2024 and is working on developing its own orbital station.
Launched in 1998, the ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000 as part of a partnership led by the US and Russia that also includes Canada, Japan and 11 European countries.
NASA, which wants the ISS to remain operational until 2030, says it has yet to receive official confirmation of Russia's planned withdrawal and previously understood that Moscow would continue to participate until 2028.
Roscosmos said in a statement that the new space station will be launched in two phases, without specifying a date.
Russian state media suggest that the launch of the first phase is planned for 2025-2026, and no later than 2030. The launch of the second and final phase is planned for 2030-35, they reported.
Roscosmos said the new station will give Russian cosmonauts a much wider view of Earth for monitoring purposes than is currently the case.
The space station, as currently envisioned, would not have a permanent human presence, but would be staffed twice a year for extended periods.
Dmitry Rogozin, the previous head of Roscosmos, who is known for his harsh statements against the West, suggested that the new space station could serve a military purpose if needed.
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