The Facts
On Tues., Russian space agency Roscosmos announced plans to leave the International Space Agency (ISS) after the country fulfills its commitments through 2024.
Launched in 2000, the ISS is a collaboration between the US, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. It's divided into the Russian Orbital Segment and US Orbital Segment, with the US providing electricity and Russia the propulsion systems.
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has and will continue to commit to its ISS partnership through 2024, but with the West imposing sanctions on Russia, cooperation has become untenable. It's time for Russia to pursue its own space station and space missions.
Anti-Russia narrative
The uncertainty that surrounds this partnership after the Russian invasion of Ukraine should push NASA to cut ties with Roscosmos. Though the two nations have weathered tension before, the costs of partnering with Russia today outweigh the benefits.
Narrative C
Russia isn't as crucial to ISS functions as it once was due to the ability of private flights to now transport NASA astronauts, which now gives NASA time to figure out how to prepare for a Russia-less future.
