Russia will "abandon" an American astronaut on the International Space Station? What happened?

The International Space Station led by the United States has been in Earth orbit for more than 20 years. Before the launch of China's?Tiangong?space station's core components, the International Space Station was the only large-scale space observation and research platform in the world. During the construction and operation of the International Space Station, Russia is also a "partner", with a high degree of participation and a certain voice. The United States and Russia have always maintained subtle cooperation and vigilance.

However, with the continuous extension of the operation time of the International Space Station, the probability of various software and hardware problems is increasing, especially the air leakage problem of the space station, which has not been completely solved for a long time. Moreover, regarding the source of air leakage, because the cabin where the air leakage is located is Russian, Russia has conducted investigations for many years, and the results point to an American female astronaut. In order to go home early, she took a "violent" way and destroyed the shell of the Russian hut. Of course, the United States does not agree with such an investigation framework, and the two sides have launched a heated debate on it, which has further deepened the "estrangement" and suspicion between the two sides, regardless of the outcome.

Recently, a video produced by Russia on the International Space Station has once again raised the "war of words" between the two sides to a new height. This video shows that NASA astronaut Mark? Wan Dehei originally planned to leave the International Space Station on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, but in the end, this plan is likely to be "ruined", Mark? Van der Hei will remain on the International Space Station.

Reminiscent of the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the relationship between the United States, Russia, Ukraine and Europe is very tense. Some countries have successively imposed sanctions on Russia, including sanctions in the space field, with Dmitry, director of the Russian Federal Space Agency? The Russian side, represented by rogozin, has made a lot of comments on the partnership status of the space field, especially the International Space Station, which has given the international community various interpretations from different angles and depths.

Impressively, on February 26th this year, rogozin said in an interview with the media that once the United States imposes sanctions on Russia in the space field, the United States should be prepared to bear the consequences, that is, the International Space Station will be derailed, or fall into the United States or into Europe. Some media have interpreted this, saying that Russia has planned to implement some "anti-sanctions" measures against the International Space Station at this time. Cheating is one, and it may be one that prevents American astronauts from returning.

As we all know, the main part of the International Space Station can be divided into two parts, namely, the American orbital section and the Russian orbital section. Although the two track segments are combined together, they are incompatible because of their different interfaces and different action modes. In fact, the operation of the United States and Russia on the International Space Station is decentralized.

At the same time, since the completion of construction, these two track parts have been interdependent. The most important feature is that the United States provides power for the entire space station, including the Russian orbital section, while Russia provides propulsion for the entire space station. If the United States restricts Russia's work on the space station by limiting or even cutting off the power supply, then although Russia can't work normally, the whole space station will also lose the power source of the propulsion system, and maintaining the orbit will be a dead letter. Therefore, Russia's statement that the International Space Station may fall can be said to be reasonable, and the United States will naturally not "destroy itself."

American astronaut Mark? Vanderheiyuan was scheduled to leave the International Space Station on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft on March 30th this year, accompanied by two Russian astronauts Anton Shikaprorov and Peter Dubrov. The Soyuz spacecraft will eventually land in Kazakhstan. By then, mark? Vanderheim will break the record of the longest continuous stay in space (340 days) held by American astronaut scott kelly.

The American large space shuttle retired at 20 1 1, and its replacement has not been developed until now. In other words, the United States does not have the ability to establish astronaut "transportation" on the Earth and the International Space Station, and has to rely on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. No wonder Russia is so bold to go to war with the United States. This reminds people that as early as 20 14, Russia was sanctioned by many countries led by the United States for the Crimea issue. rogozin expressed strong indignation at this, saying that American astronauts should go into space on trampolines instead of using Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

In view of the fact that the cooperation between the United States and Russia on the International Space Station cannot be stopped at once, it is impossible for Russia to "kill with one stick" in dealing with the return of American astronauts. Recently, rogozin revealed that everything is going according to the original plan. The United States is also ready to welcome astronauts back to China and make all preparations for related rehabilitation.

However, judging from a series of measures implemented by the United States in recent years, the United States still wants to leave some room for manoeuvre. To put it bluntly, it is to create an independent "backup" function for the key functions of the International Space Station. For example, the American space shuttle Swan, which has docked with the International Space Station, is expected to perform its first re-launch mission to the International Space Station, which was originally provided by the Russian cargo ship Progress.

For another example, the American space exploration technology company's dragon spacecraft has been carrying out manned space flight experiments, and the American Boeing company is also upgrading its manned flight plan, all of which express the goal that the United States will no longer rely on Russian spacecraft in the future.

Science knows no borders, and the field of science needs a peaceful environment. I hope that the "war of words" between the two sides is just talk.