MOSCOW, July 31, 2025 —
The head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos announced on Thursday that he and his U.S. counterpart at NASA have agreed to extend joint operations of the International Space Station (ISS) through 2028, reaffirming international cooperation in orbit despite geopolitical tensions on Earth.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov confirmed the agreement following talks with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “We have reached a mutual understanding to continue working together on the International Space Station until 2028,” Borisov stated, calling the decision “a symbol of peaceful collaboration in space.”
A Lifeline for International Science
The ISS, originally scheduled to end operations earlier this decade, has been a hub of international research and cooperation since its first module was launched in 1998. The extension ensures continued collaboration among spacefaring nations, including Russia, the United States, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, and Canada.
NASA has not yet made a formal statement but is expected to address the agreement during its upcoming press conference on space program updates later this week.
A Rare Area of Cooperation
The extension comes at a time when diplomatic ties between Russia and Western nations remain strained due to ongoing global conflicts and sanctions. Still, space exploration remains one of the few areas where cooperation has endured, often described by officials as “above politics.”
“This sends a strong message that, even in turbulent times, scientific advancement and peaceful exploration remain shared global priorities,” said a senior aerospace analyst with the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Technical Viability and Safety
Concerns had been raised in recent years about the aging infrastructure of the ISS. Roscosmos engineers and NASA teams have conducted joint assessments confirming that the station can safely operate for at least three more years, provided routine maintenance continues and systems are upgraded as necessary.
Looking Toward the Future
While the ISS extension buys time for ongoing research and crew training, both Roscosmos and NASA are preparing for what comes next. NASA is accelerating efforts to develop commercial space stations, and Russia has reiterated its plans to launch its own national orbital platform by the early 2030s.
For now, however, the continued collaboration aboard the ISS represents a powerful reminder that in the vast expanse of space, shared goals still unite divided nations.
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