A photo from open sources
Russia again postponed the launch of the Science module on the ISS, which already under construction since 1995 and which was supposed to be brought to near-earth orbit ten years ago. Now the reason for the delay is scientists called pollution of fuel tanks, in addition, they are already outdated and its rubber segments.
It turns out that a long delay with timely launch module almost made it obsolete and no longer suitable for operation. In addition, other modules were attached to the “Science”: nodal and scientific-energy blocks. Launch them now too most likely postponed until 2024.
Perhaps all this is due to the fact that NASA plans to stop ISS financing since 2024. According to the chief scientific US Space Agency Ellen Stofen, funds that are now being spent on an international station will be redirected to the preparation of the orbital flight to Mars.
A photo from open sources
Of course, the ISS can function without the NASA module, however, it is possible that after the United States, others will exit the project countries. Today, fourteen states participate in it, except Russia and the USA, the leading countries of Europe, as well as Canada and Japan. Of course, the launch by Russia of the above modules can put the beginning of the re-equipment of the ISS into a purely Russian space station. If this does not happen, then after 2024 the ISS may wait for the fate of the Mir space station, that is, it will be taken out of orbit and burned in the atmosphere. Debris of the ISS, since the station is huge (with soccer field), will be buried in the waters of one of the oceans.
ISS NASA Russia USA
