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Russian space agency studying options to replace ISS

Under Russia's new space program, a high-altitude orbital station is expected to be constructed starting from 2017

© NASA/HANDOUT

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russian space agency Roscosmos is considering several options of creating a brand-new Russian orbital station, which could replace the International Space Station (ISS), a deputy Roscosmos chief Denis Lyskov said on Monday.

“We are looking into various options,” the official said without giving any further details. “We definitely should not report any intermediate result,” he said.

Russian media reports said the TsNIIMash scientific institute, administrated by Roscosmos, is developing a national program of manned space explorations up to 2050.

Under the program, a high-altitude orbital station is expected to be constructed starting from 2017. The station’s orbit will have a 64.8-degree inclination, allowing launching spacecraft to it from the Plesetsk space center, in northern Russia.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion research laboratory owned and operated by 15 nations. The ISS has an orbit inclination of 51.6 degrees.

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