Russia wants to break away from US influence in strategic regions – Novaya Tribune

The relationship between USA and Russia The situation, marked by a series of diplomatic, economic and geopolitical tensions, has deteriorated significantly in recent years. The Ukrainian crisis, accusations of election interference, mutual economic sanctions and disagreements on international issues have widened the gap between the two countries. This degradation has prompted both countries to seek greater autonomy in various strategic areas, especially in space, where cooperation was once a symbol of cooperation despite political differences.

There has long been a commonality in the aerospace field Moscow wait Washingtonbecoming the scene of new Russian independence. Russian Space AgencyRussia’s space agency Roscosmos recently approved a timetable for creating a national space station, signaling the country’s desire to continue autonomous exploration of low-Earth orbit after leaving space. International Space Station (ISS).

This ambitious project, called ROSS (Russian Orbital Service Station), is scheduled to launch its first module in 2027. The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of synchronizing this development with the end of the life cycle of the International Space Station in order to ensure the continuity of Russia’s presence in orbit.

Roscosmos plans to build it around four main modules. The first one will be used for scientific and energy purposes, and by 2030, the other three will follow: a universal node for expansion, an airlock, and a central module. It is planned to add two specialized modules between 2031 and 2033 to complete the initial configuration of ROSS.

The financial investment in the project is about 609 billion rubles, or about 6.4 billion euros. This huge sum of money demonstrates the strategic importance Russia attaches to its space independence.

The advantages of the new station for Russia were emphasized by Yuri Borisov, head of the Russian Space Agency. He said ROSS will be able to solve problems of scientific and technological development, national economy and national security that cannot be solved on the Russian part of the ISS due to technological limitations and binding international agreements.

Moscow’s decision is part of a broader multiplication of players in low-Earth orbit. As Russia embarks on this new project, China continues to develop the Tiangong Station, and commercial space station initiatives are also on the rise. This diversification of orbital presence raises questions about the future of international cooperation in space and the resulting security issues.

The ROSS project represents a turning point in Russia’s space history, marking the end of an era of close cooperation with the United States and its allies. It reflects Moscow’s desire to maintain its status as an independent space power, able to carry out its own missions and serve national interests without external constraints.

However, this paradigm shift raises questions about the future of international space cooperation. While space has long been an area where cooperation trumps terrestrial tensions, this new approach could herald an era of increased competition among spacefaring nations.