New in view of the Space Station, less Russians and China – ANSA.it

New in view of the Space Station, which could become even more international and open to crews arriving from emerging countries (BRIC), such as Brazil, India, China and South Africa, while it might downsize the Russian crew. Russia has proposed sending two and not more than 3 astronauts in the home among the stars, whose inhabitants would pass so from 6 to 5.

” Russia has placed it as an option and NASA will evaluate the proposal in all its aspects ”, he said at a recent press conference the head of operations for NASA on the Space Station, Kenny Todd. However, according to Russian news agency Novosti, the Russian space agency Roscosmos chief, Igor Komarov said that Russia is interested in discussing the formation of joint space crews with Brazil, India, China and South Africa and intends to hear the views of other agencies involved in the Space Station.

Commenting on the news, the president of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Roberto Battiston, told ANSA that ” the possible reduction Russian crew it is a very delicate issue since it would have the effect also on the operations of the entire International Space Station and on joint programs. It is an option that should be assessed in all its aspects and all the agencies involved ”.

Importantly, he noted, the new result of the opening scene to emerging countries: ” I think a very important issue from the point of view of Space Diplomacy that the Space Economy. As is known, the Americans have so far not allowed the Chinese to enter the ISS, pushing them to develop very quickly and successfully the relevant space technologies; especially in September it will launch Tiangong 2, the second module of the Chinese space station. With this opening, the scenario that creates the conditions of this Chinese insulation could change and lead to new opportunities for collaboration ”.

The other interesting point, he added Battiston, is that for the Russians Station Space ” seems to become, for the same investment, less interesting from a scientific and technological point of view and can be exploited in a more near the Space Economy spirit by involving other nations willing to invest in the project ”.

of these new scenarios must be taken into account in the next ESA ministerial conference (ESA), to be held in December in Lucerne, which will bring together the ministers with responsibility for space of the member countries.