MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Russian state-run space corporation Roscosmos stays in touch with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the European Space Agency (ESA), despite political differences, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin has told TASS.
"We maintain contacts with NASA. They are obviously of professional nature, necessary for ensuring safe use of the ISS [International Space Station]. And, of course, exchange programs are also being implemented," Rogozin said.
In his words, the situation is more difficult with regard to the ESA. "It’s not our fault, it is due to incessant hysteria by certain ESA founding nations. But we maintain contacts with the ESA itself," he added.
Executive Director for manned space programs of Russia’s State Corporation Roscosmos Sergei Krikalev said in early June that the sanctions imposed on Russia had partially affected the work within the framework of the ISS program. "Logistics has become more complicated, but nevertheless we continue to work with partners in terms of cross-flight planning, we continue to work together at the station, joint training continues," he said.