America and Russia cooperate in space and quarrel on Earth
The International Space Station is a shining example of international cooperation.
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Rogozin said in a tweet that American astronauts will have to climb to the International Space Station by "trampoline."
Getty
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The International Space Station is a shining example of international cooperation.
Allies and enemies of the Cold War and World War II came together to create what is considered to be the most successful international civilian programme, and one that continues today, nearly 20 years later.
And these days, with tensions between the United States and Russia at an all-time high since the inception of the International Space Station, it's important to look to the sky for a way forward on Earth.
strong friendships
At first glance, it's really wonderful that the nations involved in the ISS, the European Space Agency, Japan, Canada, the United States and Russia, continue to work together so well, given that they often have different views of world events and issues.
But with a little thought, it becomes clear the reasons why international tension has not reached the International Space Station, as every partner in this station has a great interest in its success and the continuation of its operations.
The astronauts, spaceflight controllers, and technical specialists are dedicated to its success, given all necessary resources and left to their own devices.
Strong friendships are made between the international professionals on the station and everyone involved in the program, from space flight controllers to engineers.
There are also honest and sometimes heated discussions.
But the friendship continues and everyone keeps moving in the same direction.
And in the early 2000s, after years of the Bosnia-Herzegovina war, I began training in Russia, and there was conflict in and around the Balkans, and I often remember hearing the roar of heavy Russian cargo planes taking off all night from air bases near us. It transports soldiers and supplies to areas of conflict.
annexation of Crimea
We Americans discussed these issues with our Russian friends in the training program, and I learned that one of the most wonderful things about how to live in other worlds is developing perspectives.
You don't have to agree with what they say, but you can respect the other side's views.
I was working in training in Russia for a month and stopping for another month during the four-year program, before the launch of the International Space Station aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-5 rocket, and during all the disputes that occurred between the two countries, while I was part of the space station. International In 2001-2005 there were absolutely no problems with the station's programme.
But in 2014, when Russia seized and annexed Crimea, there were some hints that the situation would not continue.
In the wake of the Russian annexation of Crimea, condemnations were issued by Western countries, including the United States, which prompted the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government at the time, Dmitry Rogozin, to publish a tweet in which he said, American astronauts may have to climb to the International Space Station via a "trampoline". Instead of Russian space rockets.
SpaceX breaks the monopoly
At the time, we were completely dependent on Russia to board the International Space Station, and this was the first time that a political official in a country participating in the International Space Station threatened another country about cooperation in the International Space Program.
Rogozin later became the director of the Russian space agency "Roscosmos" in 2018. A position he still serves to this day.
These days, the United States no longer depends on Russia's Soyuz rockets to send people and equipment to the International Space Station after SpaceX's Dragon rocket broke the Soyuz monopoly.
In 2022, tensions are renewed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Western world, amid Russian threats to invade Ukraine.
Given that Rogozin is now the head of Roscosmos and is close to Putin, it is possible that cooperation in the International Space Station program will become a lever to pressure the United States to soften its position, and this would cause a serious problem.
The two biggest partners
In fact, both of the ISS's two major partners, Russia and the United States, are required to keep working.
The station's ability to operate depends on the cooperation between each of the control and monitoring centers in both countries, in addition to the teams of specialists in both countries and crew members.
And if a space agency orders its personnel to limit or stop their cooperation, the International Space Station will be in grave danger.
For example, controlling the steering of the International Space Station is critical to its stay in orbit, and this requires close coordination and cooperation between the control and control centers.
One party or the other can work for a long time independently.
It is something that senior political leaders may not understand or appreciate.
For technical reasons, the lack of cooperation can actually lead to the loss of the entire station.
In fact, one of the most important things about the human spaceflight program was the global framework that made the International Space Station possible.
The partners in the program have been doing well collectively, and have set an example for other areas of international cooperation, according to a 2009 White House statement that I helped write.
Understand the Russian position
Based on my experiences, I can understand Russia's concerns during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, although I firmly support the US position.
If the Soviet Union still exists, I don't know how the United States might feel about the possibility of Canada and Mexico joining the Warsaw Pact.
Similarly, my Russian friends and I are sure of the relevance of the American point of view. Ukraine is a sovereign country, and it has the right to make decisions about its alliances, and on other issues.
This is despite the fact that both Russia and Ukraine are descendants of Kievan Rus' (a federation of many Slavic and Baltic peoples that lasted from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries CE), so for them, the lines could be More gray than black or white.
save face
Political leaders of all sides should engage with each other with a good understanding of the other parties' points of view, and to find face-saving solutions.
And not just to keep the International Space Station running safely, but more importantly for the sake of the people of the countries involved.
One of the most important things about the human spaceflight program was the global framework that made the International Space Station possible.
Leroy Chiao - chemical engineer and former American astronaut.
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