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Using Space Station after 2020 unprofitable for Russia — deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin says participation in the International Space Station project takes away more than a third of the total budget of Russia's space agency Roscosmos

GURZUF, May 26. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia sees no reason why it should participate in the International Space Station (ISS) project between Europe, the United States, Russia, Canada, and Japan after 2020 as it takes away more than a third of the total budget of Russia's space agency Roscosmos, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told journalists on Monday.

“We are not going to withdraw (from the program), but it was meant up to 2020, and we will abide by our international commitments until 2022 and will receive contract money for the delivery of American astronauts (to the ISS). But it is highly questionable whether we will extend (the program) up to 2024,” Rogozin said, adding that final proposals would be made by Roscosmos and submitted to the Russian government.

“We see no reason for that from a commercial point of view,” he said, noting that Russia was ready to discuss other conditions.