Elon Musk has stated that SpaceX will rescue the International Space Station if Russia attempts to dump it from orbit in response to Vladimir Putin’s space chief’s threats.
According to The Sun, Dimitry Rogozin has warned that Russian technology and expertise are required to prevent the ISS from collapsing on the United States or Europe. “If you block co-operation with us, who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States and Europe?” Rogozin issued a tweet on Friday in response to President Joe Biden’s declaration of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Musk, on the other hand, responded to Rogozin’s warning with the SpaceX logo.
Here is what the ISS would look like without the Russian Segment attached – in it's place, a Dragon could be docked to provide reboost capability and attitude control. pic.twitter.com/2Zvrotv2Zw
— Pete Harding 🚀 (@Space_Pete) February 25, 2022
When a Twitter user questioned Musk if this meant SpaceX will keep the ISS from collapsing, he replied, “Yes.”
He also responded to a tweet that showed the ISS without the Russian component and instead with a SpaceX Dragon attached.
Russia is an important member of the 15-nation alliance that has kept the International Space Station in orbit for the past 23 years, but ties are at an all-time low as a result of Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine. Joe Biden announced additional penalties on Thursday that he claims will “degrade” Russia’s “aerospace industry, including their space programme.”
The station’s orbit and position are controlled by Russian engines, according to Roscosmos Director General Rogozin. “There is also the possibility of a 500-ton structure collapsing on India and China,” Rogozin added.
The remarks are an escalation of remarks made just days before by the Roscosmos chief, who tweeted that Russia “treasures” its connection with NASA and will “make every effort to continue as before” despite “disagreements between our countries.”
