24/7 Space News
SPACE TRAVEL
Kremlin denies space programme lagging after SpaceX launch
Kremlin denies space programme lagging after SpaceX launch
by AFP Staff Writers
Moscow (AFP) Oct 14, 2024

The Kremlin denied on Monday that its space programme was falling behind after US firm SpaceX successfully flew a rocket booster back to the launch pad in a world first.

The first stage booster of SpaceX's Starship megarocket made a picture-perfect return to the launch tower on Sunday, in a test flight Elon Musk's company hailed as a day for the "history books".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he "disagreed" with the idea Russia's own space programme was not developing fast enough after a series of mission failures.

"Space research is a rather sluggish process, it cannot unfold visually right before your eyes," Peskov said, adding that Russia was watching the US space programme with "great interest".

Once a space-faring pioneer, Moscow has faced multiple setbacks since the collapse of the USSR, including the loss of two Mars missions and its first lunar probe in almost 50 years in 2023.

Russia has many, often extravagant ideas to develop its space programme, including putting a nuclear reactor on the Moon with China, but has struggled to put them into action due to a loss of scientific talent and erratic funding.

Its Roscosmos space agency still ferries American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) -- one of its few areas of cooperation with the United States -- although it has signalled it wants to leave the project by 2028.

The head of Roscosmos warned last year that most Russian equipment on the station was beyond its "warranty" and that the ISS as a whole was "approaching the finish line of its existence".

The Russian segment of the orbital station has suffered three coolant leaks in just under two years, raising questions about the reliability of the country's space programme.

bur/lth

ISS A/S

Related Links
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACE TRAVEL
Voyager Space executes key Bishop Airlock operations in Starlab mission prep
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 26, 2024
Voyager Space (Voyager) has announced the successful completion of commercial payload operations using the Bishop Airlock on the International Space Station (ISS). This operation, done in partnership with Airbus, represents a critical step in preparing for joint operations on the upcoming Starlab commercial space station. During this mission, Voyager transferred two ArgUS multi-payload carriers, along with customer payloads, to Airbus's Bartolomeo platform. The transfer utilized the Space Station ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
Kremlin denies space programme lagging after SpaceX launch

SpaceX Crew Dragon that will take Starliner astronauts home docks at ISS

SpaceX launches mission to return stranded astronauts

ISS Crew-9 will conduct research into genetics, cardiac health, and space farming

SPACE TRAVEL
Airbus to cut up to 2,500 jobs in space division

Space Force Funds $35M Space Propulsion Institute Led by U-M

In a first, SpaceX 'catches' megarocket booster after test flight

Vulcan rocket awaits Florida launch for certification test

SPACE TRAVEL
Crew completes simulated Mars Mission at JSC

Mars' missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight

Martian rocks shed light on planet's ancient climate

A Striped Surprise

SPACE TRAVEL
Xi emphasizes China's drive to lead in space exploration

China launches Yaogan 43B remote-sensing satellites from Xichang

Shenzhou-18 Crew Tests Fire Alarms and Conducts Medical Procedures in Space

Astronauts on Tiangong Space Station Complete Fire Safety Drill

SPACE TRAVEL
BlackSky prices $40M Public Offering of Common Stock

Vodafone and Intelsat Expand Satellite Connectivity for Remote Areas and Emergency Response

Sidus strengthens LizzieSat operations with Neuraspace partnership

Iridium approves $500M stock buyback, total program reaches $1.5B

SPACE TRAVEL
Zero Debris Charter gains global momentum

Realizing Stealth Capabilities with 8YSZ Coatings for Microwave and Infrared Compatibility

D-Orbit signs deal with ESA for in-orbit servicing in geostationary orbit

Advanced Vehicle Classification Model launched for SAR imagery by SATIM

SPACE TRAVEL
Worms and snails handle the pressure 2,500m below the Pacific surface

Exoplanet map reveals Neptunian Ridge separating planetary regions

This rocky planet around a white dwarf resembles Earth - 8 billion years from now

Astronomers catch a glimpse of a uniquely inflated and asymmetric exoplanet

SPACE TRAVEL
Technicians prep Europa Clipper for propellant loading

Volcanoes may help reveal interior heat on Jupiter moon

JunoCam identifies new volcanic feature on Io

Mystery of Trans-Neptunian Orbits Solved by Stellar Flyby

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.