MOSCOW. Nov 26 (Interfax) - Roscosmos has not made the final decision as to when Russia should finalize its participation in the International Space Station (ISS) project and start building its own station, and talks on ISS future will begin in early 2021, the Roscosmos press service said.
"The period of ISS operation depends on technical aspects (the technical condition of modules and their expected service life), as well as political aspects discussed with the partners. One way or another, we are planning to begin consultations on these issues with NASA and other partners in the beginning of next year," the press service said.
A deputy general director of the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation said earlier at a meeting of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Council on Space Research that Energia proposed withdrawing from the ISS project in 2025 to begin the operation of a national orbital station.
"Roscosmos is actually awaiting proposals and an engineering assessment of a new multifunctional orbital station from Energia Corporation. These projects will be discussed by the Roscosmos Scientific and Technical Council before being submitted to the government," the Roscosmos press service said in regard to Energia's proposal.