Former NASA Officials Criticize US Space Policy Towards Russia, Expressing Doubts on ISS Being Independent

Space policy was described as schizophrenic.

Two former NASA officials are now criticizing the U.S. space policy towards Russia, claiming that the rules implemented by the government are schizophrenic.

Former NASA Officials Criticizes US Space Policy Towards Russia—Expressing Doubts on ISS Being Independent
In this handout photo provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41 on May 19, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Boeings Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) is Starliners second uncrewed flight test and will dock to the International Space Station. Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images

Ever since the issue between Russia and Ukraine intensified, the collaboration between Roscosmos and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration became problematic.

Because of the U.S. sanctions against Russia, Roscosmos previously threatened the ISS to pull out its rockets from the space lab, even if it leads to de-orbiting.

Now, Jim Bridenstine and Charles Bolden criticize the U.S. policies on Russia, sharing some of their doubts during their livestream, broadcasted on Aug. 28.

Former NASA Officials Criticizes U.S. Space Policy Towards Russia

According to Space.Com's latest report, Bridenstine said that the U.S. policy on Russia is schizophrenic.

Former NASA Officials Criticizes US Space Policy Towards Russia—Expressing Doubts on ISS Being Independent
Painters refurbish the NASA logo on the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in Florida on May 29, 2020. The faded 10-story-tall insignia was last painted 13 years ago. - The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Photo by GREGG NEWTON/AFP via Getty Images

"I will tell you that our nation's policy towards Russia, when you consider spaceflight, is schizophrenic," said the former NASA administrator, via the Daily Mail UK.

He explained that the U.S. is still implementing sanctions against Russia, which really prevents the country from doing important things.

Jim added that these sanctions are implemented while the U.S. is relying on Russia's Roscosmos spacecraft to keep the International Space Station in orbit.

Based on his statement, the partnership of NASA and Roscosmos is really complicated because of U.S. policies.

NASA is Overdependent on Roscosmos?

Aside from having a schizophrenic U.S. policy, Bridenstine also believes that the international space union is being overdependent on Russia.

Because of this, NASA needed to rely on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft to conduct manned missions. But, thanks to the arrival of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, the space agency now has other options.

Although this is the case, the former NASA admin said that the aerospace union is still making a mistake, especially after Russia announced its ISS departure.

Jim shared his doubts, saying that NASA will have difficulties filling the gaps in low Earth orbit research once Roscosmos official leaves the space laboratory.

Meanwhile, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope captured a bewitching rare star.

On the other hand, the NASA Artemis 1 moon mission is expected to bring dummy passengers instead of humans.

For more news updates about NASA and Roscosmos, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics