Tensions that arise between the United States and Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine are feared to spread to space cooperation. But according to this American astronaut, Russian cosmonauts are dear friends.
Various American sanctions have even made Russia threaten to leave the International Space Station (ISS) even though it has not been realized. But the astronaut's words could at least ease the tension a little.
The American astronaut, Mark Vande Hei, had just landed in Kazakhstan with three Russian cosmonauts and was on a Soyuz capsule, also made in Russia. There had been rumors that Russia would let him stranded on the ISS, but Russia denied this and Vande Hei survived to Earth.
Vande Hei said that the relationship between US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts on the ISS remains positive even though their two countries can be said to be currently fighting quite hotly.
"About my relationship with the Russian crew, they were and will continue to be very dear friends to me," said Vande Hei, quoted by Yahoo News, Thursday (7/4/2022).
"We support each other in every way. And I've never had any concerns about my ability to continue working with them," he added.
The war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed by the crew who were on the ISS, but it was normal and did not trigger a fight between them.
Vande Hei himself, who is 55 years old, has broken the record for the longest US astronaut in space, which is 355 days. While the longest human in space is Russian cosmonaut, Valey Polyakov, who was there for 437 days in 1994 and 1995.