The Russian orbital service station may become a prototype of the new International Space Station (ISS). This was stated by the CEO of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, RIA Novosti reports.
“We are talking now: the Russian Orbital Service Station. In fact, there is such interest in it now that we have thought about the fact that maybe the Russian orbital service station can become a prototype for the creation of a new ISS with even wider international participation,” he said.
Rogozin noted the importance of international cooperation. He also stressed that the Russian Federation is ready to take part in international projects related to the creation of orbital stations.
The creation of the ISS started in 1998.In recent years, it has been planned to stop the operation of the station several times. However, now the possibility of extending its work until 2028-2030 is being discussed. Russia intends to complete the operation of its ISS segment and create its own orbital service station in five to six years. It is assumed that crews of two to four cosmonauts will visit it with a certain frequency. Thus, the object will not be permanently inhabited.