Meanwhile, the Russian corps would fly forward. Some elements may have been in orbit for more than 30 years.
Some people in Russia are not happy
In a scathing article on the decision, the Russian newspaper New Izvestia explored its consequences. The article, translated for Ars by Rob Mitchell, recounts Orlov’s comments in 2022 about the dangerous bacteria and fungi that have accumulated over his extended lifetime on the International Space Station. The hundreds of traveling astronauts carrying these microorganisms pose a threat to both humans and malfunctioning electrical components, he said. At the time, Orlov was trying to justify funding for a new station. “Have bacteria and fungi suddenly become less dangerous in the last three years?”. the Russian article asks.
There will not be much time for new research. Russian astronauts currently spend about 50 percent of their time on station maintenance due to aging infrastructure.
So, at a time when China will have its own Tiangong space station, NASA should have one or more privately operated space stations to visit, and India may also start building its own orbital outpost, what exactly will Russian astronauts be left with?
The New Izvestia article states, “In the meantime, Russia will be left to carry on the legacy of the ISS with all its problems.” “We will not have a new orbital station with modern capabilities yet, and the Vostochny Cosmodrome is losing its significance, which means that investments in launch pads for manned flights may be wasted. But let’s be happy for Kazakhstan – its officials will continue to receive rent from Baikonur.”
This is clearly a money-saving move for Russia. Given its war-torn economy, the country cannot make large investments in civilian space projects. It has been clear for some time that ROS was largely a vaporware project. However, building a new station on decades-old elements of the space station that show signs of cracking and leaking is notable even for Russia’s threadbare space program.
Russia’s justification for the change is intriguing. Manturov and Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov have said that keeping ROS at an inclination of 51.6 degrees would allow interaction with an Indian station, which could fly in a similar orbit. So maybe there could be some cooperation before Russia’s station breaks and India’s flight begins?
In fact, it is a very difficult task to justify such a big decision.
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