Russia to suspend ISS cooperation over sanctions

Moscow: The cold war between Russia and US allies over Ukraine would likely to have its repercussions in space as well.

Russia has come out openly saying that it would end cooperation with other countries on International Space Station ( ISS) if sanctions were not lifted.

The head of Russian space agency Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin on Twitter stood for complete and unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions to restore normal ties between partners.

Dmitry Rogozin said that sanction were aimed at killing Russian economy, plunging people into despair and hunger.

Roscosmos will soon determine a date on when to halt Russia's involvement with the ISS, IANS reported.

Rogozin reportedly appealed in letters to NASA, the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency for lifting the sanctions.

He claimed that the head of NASA, Senator (Bill) Nelson, the head of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher, and the head of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Lisa Campbell, responded to his appeal.

NASA administrator responded to Dmitry Rogozin that the US continued to support international government space cooperations, especially operating the ISS with Russia, Canada, Europe, and Japan.

The Canadian Space Agency reportedly responded that Canada continues to support the ISS program dedicating itself to safe and successful operations.

The head of European Space Agency would pass on Rogozin's request to the agency's member states for assessment.

NASA last week said that Russia was "moving toward" extending its cooperation on the ISS until 2030.