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Russia to quit International Space Station
Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has announced it will end its participation in the International Space Station program by 2024
Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov said that Russia would fulfil its obligations to its partners on the ISS before leaving the project.
Russia had previously said it would end its contributions to the joint multinational space endeavour until sanctions were lifted by western nations.
After 2024 Russia wants to focus on its own Russian space orbital platform.
The ISS is one of the few examples where, until now, science largely trumped geopolitics and the international condemnation of Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
The space station is jointly run by the space agencies of Russia, the U.S., Europe, Japan and Canada.
The station has been orbiting earth since 1998 when the first piece was put in place.
Since then it’s had a human presence on board for nearly 22 years with US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts working side by side.
Earlier this month, Russia and the USA signed an agreement to allow Russian cosmonauts to travel to the station on US spacecraft and vice versa.
Dr Leroy Chiao, a former ISS commander and retired astronaut says Russia might be bluffing.
“I think this is posturing by the Russians. They don’t have the money to build their own station and it would take several years to do it. They’ve got nothing else if they go this route”
Dr Leroy Chiao, former ISS commander and retired US astronaut – to the BBC
He said in an interview with the BBC that he thinks Russia will ultimately decide not to leave the project.
The ISS is used to conduct scientific research in zero gravity and test out equipment for future space journeys.
It was designed with the deliberate intention of making US and Russian space operations on the orbital platform largely dependent on each other.
The news that Russia wants to end its collaboration with an international space program is not entirely without precedent.
The European Space Agency and Roscosmos ended their cooperation on the ExoMars Mission some weeks ago.
The ExoMars mission would have scouted for sings of life on Mars using a European rover.
News
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.
Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.
Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.
Proliferation Risks
Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.
Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.
News
US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.
#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews
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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.
#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate
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