Kremlin weighs in on Russia-US space dialogue

Space cooperation remains crucial despite the broader tensions, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said

Continued space cooperation between Russia and the United States remains a vital channel of dialogue despite the broader strain in relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

He was commenting about a visit to the US by the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Bakanov. Peskov told reporters that despite “all the difficulties,” space collaboration “stands apart” from the wider geopolitical climate, calling it a “very positive factor.” 

“Maintaining dialogue in such critical areas is extremely important,” Peskov said, adding that “one probably shouldn’t exaggerate the impact of maintaining these contacts on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.” 

Bakanov arrived in Houston on Tuesday and is due to meet acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, marking the first in‑person talks between the heads of the two space agencies in eight years.

The officials are expected to discuss the future of the International Space Station (ISS), including plans to extend its operational life and eventually deorbit it safely. Bakanov said a deorbiting plan is already in place, and that the process is expected to take about two and a half years.

On Wednesday, Bakanov met the members of NASA’s Crew-11 team, who are preparing to fly to the ISS. The crew includes Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, US astronauts Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke, and Japan’s Kimiya Yui. They will launch aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday.

READ MORE: Russian and US space chiefs to hold first face-to-face talks in eight years

Space, particularly ISS operations, remains one of the few areas of ongoing cooperation between Russia and the US since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Russia had earlier signaled its intention to exit the ISS program after 2024 but later indicated it may continue. Bakanov said the two sides will keep operating the station at least through 2028, and possibly until 2030.

NASA public affairs officer Steven Siceloff told RIA Novosti this week the two countries have long worked closely and that there’s always plenty to discuss.