War in Ukraine: Moscow jeopardizes the future of the ISS

400 km above the Earth, Americans, Russians and Europeans continue their collaboration in their space station. But the orders given by Moscow (Russia) are already having an impact. It is no longer a question for Russian cosmonauts to conduct planned experiments with a German astronaut. “Until now, space was above terrestrial contingencies, and even during the Cold War, there was real cooperation between Russians and Americans.“, explains Dominique Detainspecialist in space activities.

Russia went so far as to threaten to destroy the space station. She is responsible for correcting the altitude of theISS. Without the use of Russian engines, it could fall apart on Earth. An unlikely scenario according to specialists, because the Russians have only one space station, and do not have the means to create another. But in the meantime, projects are on hold, such as that of a small European robot which was to take off for March thanks to a Russian rocket.