The International Space Station (ISS) continues to operate, mainly due to support from Russia and the United States. But tensions over the war in Ukraine could have a devastating impact on the ISS.
Russia's space agency, Rocosmos, has stated that it is likely they will only operate the ISS for another two years. "To extend the deal in such conditions makes us skeptical," they said.
Russia's role is crucial on the ISS, where Russia, among other things, controls key laboratories, sends supplies from Earth, and even regulates the station's altitude that prevents it from gliding to Earth.
Indeed, other American partners that also operate the ISS such as Japan, Europe and Canada can make the ISS survive without Russia. But it may not match in terms of effort and cost.
"We have to spend a lot of money to make that happen," Secure World Foundation space researcher Brian Weeeden was quoted as saying by Politico.
NASA itself states that so far the ISS's operations have not been affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The crew on duty on the ISS currently is four people from the US, two from Russia and an astronaut from Germany.
But if Russia actually withdraws its support from the ISS, it is not unlikely that the ISS will be destroyed simply because, as mentioned, the resources to maintain it are too great without Russian involvement.
After all, ISS operations are already planned to end in 2031 by being dropped into the ocean. The station is considered obsolete and will be replaced with a new, more sophisticated unit.
