In truth, the situation, which has seen all the collaborations underway between Russia and other countries, including those with Italy, be broken for the ISS seems to soften. Roscomos chief Dmitry Rogozin, who has been showering with very harsh statements in recent weeks, has made it known that Russia will not suddenly leave the ISS, as it had in fact threatened at the end of March, but for the moment the collaboration continues and however, this being the case, Russia will give one year’s notice before leaving the ISS.
It has been said many times in the last few weeks, but it is worth remembering: the International Space Station is a collective enterprise of the United States, the European Union, Russia, Japan and Canada and can only be operated in agreement, none of the partners can take off. , under penalty of non-functioning of the ISS itself, which would mean the fact that it is dropped on Earth, albeit in a controlled way.
However, it is the end of a collaborative way that now, for space and probably beyond, will see two opposing blocs: China plus Russia and perhaps India and the West on the other side. It begins with the upcoming lunar programs that NASA and ESA do not intend to share with Russia and China.
For the rest Samantha Cristoforetti has arrived on the ISS: the images of the traditional welcome between the new and old astronauts show her literally radiant as she hugs her companions, including the Russians.
Originally from Malè, the Trentino capital of the Val di Sole, she has a precedent of 199 days spent in the ISS, one of the longest periods ever among astronauts, she studied in Italy and Munich, and also received a couple of degrees Honorarybut above all she is a great specialist in space engineering and her every attitude, even for this trip, shows perfect professionalism.