Russian Federal Space Agency Proposes Cross-Boarding of US SpaceX Spacecraft and Astronauts

"Proposal to Suggest Exchange Plan to NASA"
If Successful, First Cross-Flight Since 2006 Expected

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian Federal Space Agency has announced plans to propose an exchange program with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that would involve astronauts riding each other's rockets. If realized, Russian astronauts are expected to make their first flight to the International Space Station (ISS) using Crew Dragon, the spacecraft developed by the American company SpaceX. This is also anticipated to help improve the recently strained relations between the two countries amid intensified competition in space development.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 25th (local time), Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, attending the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the world's largest space engineering industry conference held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), stated, "We plan to propose to NASA an exchange program where Russian and American astronauts would cross-ride each other's spacecraft," adding, "The SpaceX spacecraft has a flight history that our astronauts would be interested in experiencing."

If the plan is realized, Russian astronauts are expected to board SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft to fly to the ISS. Conversely, American astronauts would board Russia's Soyuz spacecraft to also fly to the ISS. Cross-flight exchange programs between the two countries have been actively pursued since the end of the Cold War in the 1990s but have not been realized since 2006.

Rogozin stated, "I plan to meet with NASA officials on the 26th to discuss the promotion of this exchange program," while SpaceX and NASA have not yet publicly responded with specific details regarding the plan. If successful, it is expected to positively influence the recent strained relations between the two countries.