Russia Supports NASA's 2030 ISS Decommissioning Plan

Russia's space agency Roscosmos has confirmed its support for NASA's plan to decommission the International Space Station (ISS) beginning in 2030, marking a significant shift in its previous stance. Yuri Borisov, head of Roscosmos, stated that the decision to collaborate with NASA indicates the recognition of the ISS's limitations, citing maintenance issues that have forced cosmonauts to focus more on repairs than scientific work. This announcement comes after a series of conflicting statements from Borisov regarding Russia's commitment to the ISS, including an earlier assertion that the country would exit the project by 2024. NASA has long aimed for the ISS to remain operational until 2030, commissioning SpaceX to develop a vehicle for its safe deorbiting. The shift in Russia's position reflects a more cooperative approach to international space collaboration, with hopes for private sector involvement in future space infrastructure. Borisov's comments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the aging space station, as both agencies prepare for a transition to new ventures in space exploration.