Russia Plans To Let Go Of Their Part In The ISS

According to the plan approved by Roskosmos in February 2015, the creation of the Russian station would start with the separation of three newest Russian modules from the Russian segment of the ISS (bottom center) in 2024. Two earliest Russian-built ISS components -- the Zarya Control Module, FGB, and the Zvezda Service Module, SM, will remain in place, enabling propellant delivery with Progress cargo ships (center) and the eventual controlled deorbiting of the outpost.

The International Space Station is in danger, between 2023-2024 Russia plans to let go of the ISS leaving the space station handicapped.   Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry Rogozin recently indicated that the American segment of the ISS cannot survive without the Russian's side; however, the Russian side can work independently.

The assembly of the post-ISS Russian station could start with the docking of the Soyuz
 spacecraft (left) at the MLM module (right) launched separately. Image: Anatoly Zak

In able for the ISS to stand, NASA plans to hand over the entire space station to a private company. If this happens, the company will have to rebuild the abandoned segment which Russia will be removing in 2024. This action will free as much as 20% of the agencies funding for NASA's proposal mission to Mars, according to The Motley Fool.
The candidates for the handing over of the ISS are the usual companies such as Boeing, SpaceX and Sierra Nevada, which have already proven themselves reliable, for they already have experience in dealing with NASA. As it may seem a monopoly of different companies will be contributing for the rebuilt of the ISS, it was originally constructed by various countries. NASA deputy Associate, Bill Hill explained, "NASA is trying to develop economic development in low-earth orbit," reports Fox Business.

NASA's plan of selling must be smoothened out with ISS' other partners, such as Canadian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the European Space Agency. Assumingly, further legal preliminary will be handled and credits to the commercialization of the space industry must be applauded. In line with this, races with different space agencies like the Chinese, the Indians as well as the Russians are also enduring to establish their own space programs. Hence, they will need the ISS to have a right to dock, for refueling, resupply, and even R&R visits.
Therefore, over the next decade, NASA is one step closer to their long-term plans of reaching Mars. This decision of selling is necessary for it's the only way for them to study the red planet.

Sources: Russian Space Web and Science World Report

Varino

Editor

Joined Stellar Hub as an editor in the summer of 2016.