The head of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency on Tuesday praised Russian-American cooperation on the International Space Station after a massive coolant leak from the Soyuz crew capsule.
“Hail to the entire American team,” Borisov said, addressing the Russian crew on the International Space Station, “They have proved themselves very well in this situation and have helped us.” “But I hope we can make our own” in the future.
He added, according to a Roskosmos transcript: “You have set an example to the whole world of how to work together in the most challenging and difficult situations. Let many politicians learn from you.”
Space has been a rare vehicle of cooperation between Moscow and Washington since the onset of the Russian offensive in Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions against Russia.
The International Space Station was launched in 1998 at a time of heightened cooperation between the United States and Russia after the Space Race competition during the Cold War.
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petlin, as well as American astronaut Frank Rubio, flew from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station on a Soyuz rocket on Sept. 21.
They should return to Earth in March.
The coolant leak reported Thursday disrupted a routine spacewalk by the two Russians at the last minute and could affect the three crew members’ return journey to Earth.
“I hope the little incident we had with the air conditioning system didn’t affect your mood and peace of mind,” Borisov said.
“May your mission be completed as planned.”
The US space agency (Roscosmos) and the US space agency (NASA) said the leak from the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft posed no danger to those aboard the International Space Station.
Roscosmos said on Monday that after the initial rise in temperature inside the Soyuz capsule, it had “settled” at about 30 degrees Celsius.
He added that the cause of the leak has been determined and a special committee will determine whether the capsule can be used to return astronauts to Earth.
Borisov said another ship would have to be sent to the ISS if Soyuz MS-22 was deemed unfit for the mission.
NASA astronauts Josh Casada and Nicole Mann, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina were flown to the International Space Station in October aboard the SpaceX spacecraft.
“Very charming geeky tv. Explorer. Food enthusiast. Hipster friendly pop culture fan. Zombie teacher for life.
