Answering questions today at a press briefing at the GLEX – Global Space Exploration Conference – in St. Petersburg, Russian space agency director Dmitry Rogozin affirmed Russia’s plan to participate in China’ space station, now under construction.
Space reporter Irene Klotz asked Rogozin: “Do you see Russian cosmonauts flying to the Chinese space station?”
Rogozin replied, “The short answer is, “yes.’”
Rogozin went on to explain that this will take significant support from the Russian side. The Russian spacecraft launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan circle the Earth in a highly inclined 50-plus-degree orbit, while the new Chinese launch facility on Hainan Island is only 19 degrees north of the equator. Russia will have to continue to develop more efficient rocket systems to be able to maneuver a rocket to meet the Chinese station. Currently, Russia launches from ESA’s launch base at Kourou, French Guiana. But that facility is not equipped to handle manned launches. A number of long-term joint space projects are being planned between China and Russia, including a research base at the south pole of the Moon.