NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the United States expects continued partnerships with Russia regarding the operation of the International Space Station (ISS). It is reported by RIA Novosti.
According to Nelson, it does not doubt that the functioning of the ISS will be extended to 2030, and cooperation with Roskosmos will continue. “I really hope and is very optimistic about what is very good, the exceptional cooperation, which we will continue,” said the head of the space agency. Currently, the term of operation of the ISS has been extended to 2024, but negotiations are underway to continue the operation of the station until the end of the decade.
Also, Nelson wished Russia and the United States to cooperate in Gateway – the project of the lunar orbital platform-gateway, designed to study the moon, long-range space and preparation for the long flight on Mars.
Earlier, the General Director of Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, stated the Echo Moskvi radio station that the issue of continuing to participate in Russia in the ISS project will be resolved in the next few months. The head of the Russian Space Corporation will discuss the extension of the station with Bill Nelson in Dubai in October during Astronautical Congress.