By 
April 3rd, 2022
Credit: CCTV/CGTN
Given the tensions between Russia and the West due to heavy sanctioning sparked by the Ukrainian conflict, Russian space cooperation with China may be stepped up.
Dmitry Rogozin, director general of Roscosmos, underscored that prospect during his appearance on several China television outlets.
Rogozin told China Global Television Network (CGTN) and China Central Television (CCTV) that Russia’s role in space exploration is indispensable.
ExoMars 2022 mission was a joint ESA/Roscosmos project. Shown is rover ready to depart Russia-provided landing module and science landing platform.
Credit: Thales Alenia Space/Master Image Programmes
ExoMars 2022
The European Space Agency (ESA) announced in mid-March that it is suspending its collaboration with Russia on the ExoMars 2022 program.
“The problem is when someone does it on its own, it costs a lot of money. It will be a huge burden on the budget. In the construction of ExoMars, the main element is the landing module. The Mars research rover is not the essential element. I think we can make this mission happen with another partner like China or someone else,” Rogozin said.
The Russian Kazachok platform was destined to land on the Red Planet as part of the ExoMars 2022 mission, shown here being shipped to Europe for final assembly and testing.
Credit: Roscosmos
“It’s a cooperative mission. If Russia doesn’t join, Europe won’t go ahead with the mission, because Russia’s contribution to the mission is huge. It is not only about the heavy rockets that send these instruments into orbit and to Mars, it’s also about the landing vehicles. These vehicles must help achieve a soft landing on Mars or the research rovers. The module itself is a research station. We have been waiting so long to realize this mission. If it is delayed, it will never happen. They may change Russia’s landing module, but that decision could take a lot of time and money,” said Rogozin.
Launch of the ExoMars 2022 mission had been slated for September 20 (the opening of a 12-day launch window); lifting off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan atop a Proton booster.
That mission involved the ESA-led rover and a Roscosmos-led surface landing/science platform named “Kazachok.”
ISS mosaic created with imagery from Expedition 66.
Credit: NASA/Roscosmos
International Space Station
Rogozin also said the Russia-U.S. cooperation on the International Space Station (ISS) will collapse as a result of the sanctions. If the U.S. stops cooperation, the 500-ton ISS will go out of control, he said.
“Russia’s role is vital. Only Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft can transport American, European, Canadian, Japanese astronauts and their guests. Soyuz is irreplaceable, because America doesn’t have any such spacecraft,” Rogozin said.
“Russia helps the ISS avoid space rubbish and maintain orbital correction. The ISS is in a low earth orbit. It helps deliver fuels to the station. These are the main contributions from Russia and Roscomos in particular. So working without Russia is impossible, just like working without America. If they pull us out of this, the ISS wouldn’t exist anymore,” said Rogozin.
Credit: Roscosmos
“We work well with our Chinese friends,” Rogozin emphasized.
The Russian space chief noted the International Lunar Research Station. “We have signed all the necessary documents with our Chinese friends. Regarding China’s space station, we can talk about creating new modules. To be friends in space, we must be friends on Earth. Russia and China are friends on Earth. I think China and Russia can work together in manned cosmonautics,” Rogozin said.
To view Dmitry Rogozin, head of Russia’s space program known as Roscosmos, go to these videos at:
Posted in Space News
