US/Russian space cooperation has been an important part of
space politics since 1996 and the placement of American Astronauts on Mir.
Russian support has been essential to the International Space Station with the
expense of the shuttle program (and after the Columbia disaster in 2003). Since the retirement of the shuttle program Russian
support has been essential. The American space program is currently experiencing
an odd “in-between” period with the continued development of a new launch
system and the still-baby steps of private space contractors. The factor
covering these is the dependable Souyz launch system and Russian cooperation. This
looks to be in jeopardy with tensions over the Crimea. This, of course, raises
a few different issues involving how Americans are going to get into orbit.
Private contractors have proven they are able to launch supply flights into
low-orbit. NASA is still developing the Orion launch system and the first unmanned
flight is planned for September, 2014. I see a few options and none of them are
cheap:
-Accelerate the development of Orion: This would require
giving NASA more money, and with Congress unable to agree on anything these
days I don’t see this happening.
-Accelerate the development of private space venture: The
existing space companies, like Space X, have launch systems that can support
manned flight. The Space X system, named Dragon, is planning its first manned
flight in 2015.
-Kiss and make up to the Russians, or at least separate space from foreign policy: The shakiest option, especially as tensions continue
to rise. Hitching a ride with the Russians after the rhetoric that has been exchanged over Crimea would be awkward to say the least. Very, very awkward. Sort of like calling your ex for a ride from a bar after a really, really, really bad break-up.
-Find somebody else: Of other space programs, only China currently has
a manned flight capability and not only are they strategic partners to the Russians but
questions arise to the capability to replace the Russians. From what I’ve read,
probably not, even if a partnership could be formed, which most likely will not happen anyway.
The US has two options, deal with foreign policy and space
or pump cash into NASA and private space companies. On the
other side, the loss of American money from the Russian space program could
seriously hurt it as well. The American infusion of cash has played a significant
part in keeping the Russians above water; the loss of this money could very
well see the Russian program scaled back significantly. Cooperation in space is not just
sound policy but budgetary as well. Program cuts have seen both sides rely upon
the other. Essentially, cutting the
space cooperation will hurt both states but in the right circumstances this
could be a shot in the arm for the American public and private space programs
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