Kathrine Frich
This is the first face to face meeting since 2018.
This is the first face to face meeting since 2018.
A Rare Meeting in a Time of Tension
For the first time since 2018, the heads of NASA and Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, are meeting face to face.
Dmitry Bakanov, appointed to lead Roscosmos in February, traveled to Houston to meet Sean Duffy, recently named NASA’s acting chief by President Donald Trump.
Set for July 31: A Crucial Date in Space Diplomacy
The meeting is scheduled for July 31, ahead of the SpaceX Crew-11 launch.
According to Russian media, the two leaders will sit down to discuss active collaborations, including the shared operation of the International Space Station (ISS).
Despite War, Space Cooperation Continues
While U.S.-Russia relations have sharply deteriorated due to the war in Ukraine, space exploration remains a rare area of cooperation.
Both agencies are continuing to work together on ISS operations, crew transport, and long-term planning.
Main Topics on the Table
The discussion will focus on three key areas: continuing cross-spaceflight programs, extending the ISS’s operational life, and coordinating a safe, controlled deorbiting of the ISS into the ocean when its mission ends.
A Visit Beyond the Meeting Room
During his stay in Houston, Bakanov will tour NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Boeing’s facilities.
The visits are aimed at strengthening ties with both U.S. officials and private space contractors involved in joint missions.
Historic Last Meeting Took Place at Baikonur
The last time the heads of NASA and Roscosmos met in person was in October 2018, at Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome.
That meeting featured former Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin and then-NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine.
Crew-11 Launch Adds Symbolic Weight
Coinciding with the high-level talks is the planned launch of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission.
Onboard the Crew Dragon capsule is Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, a visible symbol of ongoing U.S.-Russian collaboration in space despite diplomatic rifts.
What’s at Stake for the ISS?
With the ISS nearing the end of its lifecycle, both agencies are under pressure to agree on a joint plan for its deorbit.
A safe landing of the orbital station into the ocean requires close coordination and engineering cooperation.
Eyes on the Future of Space Diplomacy
The Houston talks mark a potentially significant turning point.
While political tensions persist on Earth, NASA and Roscosmos continue to demonstrate that mutual interests in space can still bring adversaries to the table.
