The first module of the Russian orbital station could be launched as early as 2026, which will be several times more efficient than the previous ISS, said the head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin.
A new transport system will be developed for the Russian orbital service station, the general director of Roscosmos said. The first will be the Science and Energy Module (SEM), intended for the ISS. NEM has been created since 2012. It was originally supposed to be produced in 2015. It will ensure energy independence of the Russian segment of the ISS, which now receives electricity from the American one. The module is also intended for scientific research, RIA Novosti reports.
Extending the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030 will require enormous funds, otherwise the station will “fall apart.” “For now, we have government permission to work on the ISS until 2024. The United States has decided to work there until 2030. We believe that by 2030 the station will collapse. Its resource is 15 years. Calculate, 15 years have passed since 1998,” Dmitry Rogozin said at a meeting with State Duma deputies from the LDPR.
Roscosmos is responsible not only for the orientation of the ISS and for its avoidance of dangerous collisions, but also for the delivery of fuel. In total, 16 countries participate in the ISS: Russia, USA, Japan, Canada, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain and Brazil.
On December 31, 2021, Director of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Bill Nelson announced the intention of the administration of American President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to extend the operation of the ISS until 2030, as well as cooperation with partners in Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada.
In addition, the construction of the National Space Center is currently underway; 800 people are involved in work at the facility. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2023. The National Space Center, the construction of which will allow concentrating on one site a number of key organizations of the rocket and space industry – the central office and situation center of the Roscosmos State Corporation, industry institutes and enterprises, currently scattered throughout the capital. In addition, the NCC will include a modern educational complex, youth design bureaus, a business support center, exhibition pavilions, and a production diversification center.