Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, under the leadership of Yuri Borisov, has approved a plan to develop a new space station, signaling a shift away from international cooperation in space efforts since 2022.

This move reflects Russia’s increasing geopolitical isolation amidst heightened Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The announcement, posted on Telegram by RIA Novosti, outlined plans for the new Russian orbital station to be fully operational by 2033.

Contracts have been signed for its creation, along with a new spacecraft for missions using the Angara rocket from the Vostochny cosmodrome near the Russia-China border, Newsweek has reported.

Russia previously announced its intent to leave the International Space Station program after 2024 due to the impact of sanctions.

Written by B.C. Begley