The head of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, says the agency has not set a date for its withdrawal from the International Space Station.
On Tuesday, the agency confirmed its decision to pull out of the station sometime after 2024.
Yuri Borisov, the head of Roscosmos, gave an interview with Russian state TV on Friday. He said the exact timing of the withdrawal will be either in mid-2024 or the following year.
Borisov added that the timing depends on the condition of the station. He said it will coincide with the Russians building their own space station.
Russia and the US started construction of the ISS in 1998. They led a partnership that also includes Japan, Canada and Europe.
Ned Price, a US State Department spokesperson, said on Tuesday that Russia’s withdrawal is “unfortunate” but pointed out the “fundamental change” in bilateral relations after the invasion of Ukraine.
However, Borisov said the decision has nothing to do with politics.
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