The Last Symbol of US-Russia Cooperation, 'International Space Station' to Disappear? [Global Issues+]

Russia announced withdrawal in 2024 but hesitates on official exit
China's independent space station to operate within the year... US and Russia both on alert

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia's declaration to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS), which symbolized the era of cooperation with the United States and the West after the end of the Cold War, has drawn international attention. Although this move is part of retaliatory measures against Western sanctions following the Ukraine war, it remains uncertain whether Russia will actually decide to withdraw, as doing so would entail significant losses for Russia as well.

In particular, with China's independent space station 'Tiangong' expected to become operational as early as the end of this year, if Russia truly withdraws from the ISS, Tiangong could be the only space station in orbit for several years. Since China is not expected to use this space station purely for scientific purposes, both the United States and Russia are highly cautious about this development.

Russia: "We Will Build Our Own Space Station Starting 2024"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 31st (local time), Casey Lueders, NASA's Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, stated at a press conference on the 27th that "Russia has expressed a desire to maintain cooperation until it operates its own space station." Previously, the Russian government declared its intention to withdraw from the ISS project starting in 2024 to build an independent space station, but this statement suggests that Russia currently has no immediate plans to withdraw.

Russia plans to build its own space station called 'ROSS' by 2028, but due to significant economic losses from the Ukraine war and severe shortages of supplies caused by sanctions, it is expected to be difficult to complete by then. Especially since rocket sales to the United States, a major source of funding for Russia's space development, have become impossible, securing the budget for constructing the space station is anticipated to be very challenging.

There are also concerns about the diplomatic repercussions of Russia withdrawing from the ISS, which has symbolized cooperation with the West since the Cold War. Established in 1998, the ISS is an international cooperative project involving 16 countries including the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan, and is currently operated mainly through Russian and American modules. Russia manages the main propulsion system, while the United States operates the solar panels and power sources, so if either side withdraws, the operation of the station itself would become impossible.

China's Independent Space Station Nears Operation... Both US and Russia on Alert

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Another reason Russia hesitates to withdraw from the ISS is China's independent space station. The construction of China's independent space station, called Tiangong, is progressing rapidly and is expected to become operational as early as the end of this year. If Russia withdraws from the ISS in 2024 and the ISS operation ends, Tiangong will be the only space station outside Earth's atmosphere until a new one is built.

The problem is that since Tiangong was built by a single country rather than multiple nations, there is a risk it could be used for military purposes. If a space station is converted for military use, it can serve as a massive and precise reconnaissance satellite, larger than military satellites, and can be equipped with weapons to intercept other countries' satellites, making it a formidable weapon.

Although Russia and China have grown closer since the Ukraine war and sanctions, they have not formed a mutual military alliance, and tensions remain between the two countries. Considering these circumstances, it is expected that the likelihood of Russia immediately withdrawing from the ISS starting in 2024 is low.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.