Russia resumes space mission with US despite tensions with West over Ukraine war

Despite soaring tensions between United States and Russia, space agencies of both countries are still managing to work collaboratively. At latest, astronauts of both countries arrived at International Space Station on Wednesday. US astronaut Frank Rubio and two Russians-- Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin-- arrived safely in a rare instance of cooperation between Moscow and Washington. According to NASA, Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft carrying Rubio, Prokopyev and Petelin of Roscosmos, docked to station’s Rassvet module at 1:06 pm EDT. Following two orbits, docking occurred about three hours after a 9:54 a.m. launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Both Russian and US astronauts will spend nearly 180 days on ISS along with three or Russian cosmonauts, three or US astronauts, and one Italian. Notably, it's been more than 24 years since Russia and United States started working toger in space. Since ir collaboration, world gets a chance to witness a number of space secrets that have been under rubble for billions of years. However, collaboration of two countries is facing turbulence and, possible repercussions can now be felt in space due to actions taken by Russian President Vlimir Putin on Earth.

Biden threatened to degre Russian space industry

Amid Russia's aggression against its neighbouring country, Ukraine, United States has imposed back-to-back sanctions on Moscow. Following Putin's action, US President Joe Biden threatened Putin to degre his aerospace industry. "I will degre ir aerospace industry, including ir space program," Biden said during a White House dress on February 24. US President Joe Biden threatened Putin to degre his aerospace industry. "I will degre ir aerospace industry, including ir space program," Biden said during a White House dress on February 24.

However, NASA released a reaction statement saying, " collaboration will continue. No changes are planned". It said that agency will continue to support "ongoing orbit and ground station operations". same has been witnessed on Wednesday when a US spaceman travelled with two or Russians. Throughout ir six-month stay aboard orbital outpost, trio will work on science and research in technology development, Earth science, biology, human research, and more.

Image: AP